Children's Day Sunday Funday

It was a week full of celebration, with Children's Day actually being on the 12th. Here are two videos from some of the celebrations:

A big step outside of my comfort zone was on Sunday, when the Community church of Guadalajara asked me to come to the service for the kids...but the whole church would be there! God's grace covered it all, and it went well, in Portuguese, for all ages:). 

Our family had some time to rest and relax, as it was a four-day weekend. We thought about going and doing something fun, but then baby Jessica decided not to let me sleep well most of the nights. Ana Sofia got to play at a friend's house, and was given her two new favorite things: a tricycle and a Peppa pig. Considering she got an unlimited amount of popcorn and cotton candy at all the different celebrations, she really had a very happy weekend. 

Reads from the Interwebs:

1. When you are sure God loves Ann Voskamp more than you: the title had me. 

2. First Pregnancy VS. Now: I am hoping to make a video about this sometime too:) 

3. Speak it: So amazed and broken and blessed by those who have been speaking up with #metoo: I have so many strong loved ones! (If you don't know about #metoo, it is speaking out about having been sexually harassed/taken advantage of/abused.) 

God bless you all, and please don't forget to pray for this Saturday:

1st Pregnancy vs. Now: Reality

Left side: 1st Pregnancy
"Of course we will lead a mission trip on the first day we find out we are pregnant!"
Right side: Now
Learning to trust my body again. #Miscarriagehurts

1st Pregnancy: Perfectly planned monthly pictures

Now: That happened

1st Pregnancy: Let's throw a Christmas party!

Now: I am so glad I am on home assignment and my mommy can cook and take care of me!

1st Pregnancy: Traveling and visiting family

Now: Do I have to leave the house?

1st Pregnancy: Got all my tests caught up-it's a girl!

Now: Oh yeah, pregnancy pictures

1st Pregnancy: Let's find coordinating scarves!

Now: We found out it is a girl! And found a pre-natal doctor. 

1st Pregnancy: Of course we can move to Brazil and begin serving there as a missionary family, furnish an apartment, set up a nursery, and have a baby abroad all in the third trimester!
Now: Grab a camera! I am not dressing up again until after the baby is born.

1st Pregnancy: Good thing we are in a tropical country--I can wear flip flops every day
Now: Good thing we are in a tropical country--pregnancy works as an excuse to not do anything (they actually believe in paid maternity leave, unlike the USA)

1st Pregnancy: Let's get professional pictures done
Now: I am up all night again. Let's find more Pinterest pregnancy memes.

Sunday Funday October

Our weekly vlog is a quick update on life:

And last week was mid-terms at the International school, so for our older students, I had them create videos about Brazil for you guys!!! There are six videos (about holidays, Portuguese, music, and culture) that you should check out, and here is a fun one for you to learn some Brazilian Portuguese verbs and phrases:

I had another pre-natal check-up, and apparently, I am gaining weight really (overly) quickly, for the first time ever (I was always behind weight gain for Ana Sofia), so I gotta step up the exercising (which is exactly opposite of what I want to do). Fun. But everything else is going well--even some successful potty training days for Ana Sofia! (Emphasis on the "some"). 

Reads from the Interwebs: 

1. Leaving (and arriving) well: I love the part about making a movie poster, a movie trailer, and then a feature film about your time (ahem: LIFE) gone. 

2. Ask a Counselor: Faith shift edition: to think your missionaries are NOT going through any kind of faith shifting is sorta crazy. Just sayin.

Have a great week! And next up? CHILDREN'S DAY!!!! Keep us in your prayers as some great opportunities to share Jesus within the church communities is coming up!

October Sunday Funday

Our weekly vlog (especially for the grandmas):

It is October! October 12 in Brazil is Children's Day, and we started the celebrations off big today in Cajueiro Claro (video to come soon!). I am sunburned, tired, so pregnant, and barely keeping my eyes open at 8:30pm. So many thank yous to so many people--what a great team we have for Living Stones! 

Reads from the Interwebs:
1. Dear NFL: this one says my opinion exactly (haha).
2. Daring to Hope: eeeep! I want this book! Written by "Kisses from Katie"!
3. You're as free as you break others free: I am slowly savoring Ann's latest book during my pre-natal checkups:). Love how she lives it.
4. Homesickness feels uncannily like grief: Mostly I just say it is grief.

Those of you in the USA (at least the middlish parts), enjoy your fall! Feeling the lack of changing seasons and pumpkin flavored everything here...

Dear NFL

Dear NFL,

You feel passionate about something, and have brought it to the front page in a creative, non-violent manner. Respect. But please don't let it become about something you are against, instead of something you are for. 

Remember that love wins over hate. 

Protesting that makes a difference is one that promotes what you are for, not fights what you are against. 

Are you AGAINST our flag and anthem, or FOR saving black lives? 

Are you AGAINST police or FOR positive law enforcement that stops people from getting hurt? 

You have what America listens to, regardless of race: talent and money. So use it. I'd love to get behind an NFL NGO/foundation that:

1. Provides tutoring for inner city neighborhoods, to allow black kids to have better lives through education
2. Provides college scholarships for black students 
3. Provides incentives for more POC to become cops 
4. Creates anti-corruption standards for our police and prison system
5. Provides incentives for more black lawyers and public defenders 

Regardless what whatever was originally intended by taking the knee, it has turned into something subversive and divisive rather than making a difference, something that I believe has been made worse by the tweets of our president.

It also, I believe, was just to draw awareness to a protest: not to create actual change. 

So now it is time to move on to the next step- actually making a difference. You can do it: America is looking to you and ready to hear you. Please don't make this about you: make it about the kids and families and lives that really are suffering. 

Sunday Funday September

Our weekly vlog:

This week Ana had a fever (but it was a 24 hour thing), and a big fall (landing on her teeth, but they are all still intact) and those were our big adventures. As I am third-trimestering (yes, that is a word now), we are taking things slow and steady and I still have to rest/ race to the bathroom in between everything. But life is good and we are grateful. Today, Caid did an amazing job leading the worship and preaching at church, as Pastor Flavio was at a conference: it is incredible to be available and be used by God (often at the last minute). 

Reads from the Interwebs: 

1. What I am learning from in sickness and in health: I remember when Caid had knee surgery our first year of marriage...how it shaped us. 

2. 13 Things I want American Christians to know about the stuff they give poor kids: So this was posted on Facebook this week, and I read through the comments to see that there was a disgruntled American (who worked with Samaritan's purse or something) that felt offended by it. I think that was exactly WHY this missionary needed to write this article. My friend and co-worker replied to this disgruntled gentleman in a kind way, and I added my two cents as well (don't you love/hate the Internet?). It is definitely something to think about. 

Today, I was talking with Mercia, Pastor Flavio's wife, about how it would be nice to have toys to give at next week's Children's day party, but we just don't have the funds. The conclusion was that sometimes surprises (from Brazilian's and American's both) and presents happen, and sometimes they don't: but they aren't the reason we celebrate. And yes, presents are nice, but it is good we don't always have them, because it makes sure that it ISN'T the focus. Come on guys: let's get more creative than just toys! And please don't think that giving a present = sharing Jesus. Jesus is so much bigger than that. 

3. Crossing Cultures before he could Crawl: beautifully written

Have a wonderful week, and then WELCOME October!!!! WHAT?!

September Sunday Funday

Our weekly vlog:

It has been a lovely "recover from vacation" week, as coming back from vacation always is. Ana Sofia had gotten the habit of waking up at 5:30am while at the beach, but luckily, she is back to waking up at 6:30am again (how many years until they want to sleep in?). 

We are getting ready for mid-terms at the International school, and getting ready for Children's day celebrations at Living Stones. It is a wonderful time of planning and ideas and coming together. As my belly grows, I work away at trying to plan everything that needs to be done until February, as who knows what will actually get accomplished from November-January. It promises to be our most laid back and chill Christmas yet :). 

Reads from the Interwebs:

1. The Joy of a Curious Heart: I think this is truly one of the secrets that makes or breaks a lot of our interns! 

2. Should we send "ordinary Christians" as missionaries? Such a good article, and so much more I want to study into! I started a mental note of requirements I think missionaries should have before serving (and at different levels too--for example, serving as a short term missionary should still have triaing! But less training than an intern coming for 3-6 months, who needs less training than a full-time missionary...) What are your thoughts? Anyone want to join me down this rabbit hole?

3. Opening Your heart (in Memory of Drew): speaking of interns...our hearts are hurting.

4. Rohingya Refugees: this is just one random article about the crisis going on right now. I know we are all just full from the overload of the hurricanes and rain and fires all over the USA, but this is something we need to stop and pray about and be talking about. I see these children and my heart hurts and I grab for my own little girl, who I would do anything for, and I know these parents are thinking the same thing. 

God bless, and have a wonderful week!