May Sunday Funday

Our weekly vlog is a mixed hair tutorial:

Tuesday was International Work Day (Labor Day for everyone but the USA it seems), but our plans changed as Sofia had the sniffles: we had a picnic on our living room floor instead. If you are wondering about our "Missionary" vlogs that seem much more like "Baby/toddler" vlogs: yes, we do both. In this phase of life, Caid is doing more of the missionary work, and I am filming what happens most with me: kiddos. When we are about to film something "missionary-ish," someone often gets sick and plans change. Ah, life. BUT, we are still doing missions, and things are going strong, and videos are happening there too--our YouTube channel is Building Living Stones, and we keep it (slightly) separate from our weekly vlogs. 

The rest of my week was shot as then I got sick (thanks Ana Sofia!) and had a high fever. Caid took over cooking and kiddos and by Sunday I was up and about again. Thank goodness too, because every first Sunday of the month, instead of just having communion, we have communion and then all stay for pitch-in lunch. We love our little church, which this year has the theme "One church, one family."

(Ana Sofia is off at a little table to the side, eating rice and beans)

Reads on the Interwebs:

1. The simple question to help you evaluate any ministry among the poor: POW!!! This got me! Because as much as I want it, Living Stones is not there yet! In 2015, when we had to better define who we were to better provide services, we also made Living Stones something more ridged and un-accessible and reproduce-able to others. Much prayer and planning is going into how we can change this and make more sustainable change! A must read for everyone! 

2. Dreaming in reality: "How does this reality compare to the dream?" 

3. Seven ways to teach our sons, churches, communities to respect women: no, this subject is NOT over. 

4. Despair is where hope is born: "“Hope expressed without knowledge of and participation in grief is likely to be false hope that does not reach despair. Thus…it is precisely those who know death most painfully who can speak hope most vigorously.”--Brueggemann

5. When strong blocks love: "Love always begins with vulnerability." Interesting note: we love tax time because it means tax tithing and a chance to do something awesome for some of the incredible people we know and love in Brazil. As Caid and I were eagerly planning our gift-giving, we were most excited to invest in some young people who had asked us to be their mentors. Why? Because "you are responsible forever for what you have tamed" (the Little Prince). They were vulnerable and asked for help, and they have won a place in our hearts. There are fund-raising secrets hidden here! 

6. How to drive an expat crazy: So true!!! Made me laugh!