Stop and Breathe

We leave for Brazil in a week. Stop and breathe.
It is really easy for me to get really stressed really fast the last two weeks before leaving. Stop and breathe.
Ana Sofia has decided to wake up every two hours the past couple of weeks. She has her first tooth. She is scared of grass and soccer balls. Stop and breathe.
Here is something really beautiful written about it. Stop and breathe.

It has been an incredible furlough--or better said--home assignment. As my mom put it, we squeeze a year's worth of work into 9 months in Brazil, and then squeeze a year's worth of work into 3 months in the USA. If you want to know more about furloughs:

Since Christmas, we have

• Traveled: We spent almost a month speaking at churches in Ohio and Illinois, as well as visiting Connecticut and West Virginia (seeing friends, family, and supporters).
• Trained: We were able to get training in almost every area that we serve others in: Caid was able to go to a counseling conference and have music training with my amazing voice teacher, we were able to observe and get training teaching English, and Craig Olson (Thank you!) spent a long time with us, giving us training on tech and websites and vlogs and how to all kinds of things. 
• Gotten Resources: Our bags are already full to bursting with the kindness and generosity of so many people (and we haven't finished packing)! Story after story about God providing--even down to soccer jerseys for Cajueiro Claro--our hearts are as full as our bags. We are fully prepared for an amazing time of ministry in Brazil, and even have a new Living Stones Website, and our own website: FiveMinutesOfFergie.com 
• Visisted: We have been able to meet with lots of people and churches about Brazil. We have been able to share our vision and be encouraged and be fed spiritually. We have had amazing time with friends and family, and we thank each one of you! It is never long enough--at times it is only a "check in" with people instead of getting down to daily, dirty, daring life: and if we missed you this trip...let's make it happen next time! 

One last thing...we are still working toward getting a car in Brazil--we still need $8,000. Once we get to Brazil, our ministry is crippled without a vehicle to get to the places with the kids: more time is spent trying to get places than with the children. If you would like to support us, specifically our car, go here.