CHEGAMOS!

This first week has flown by and the crazy thing is that we have only seen our kids once, today was our first actual day with them! When we arrived Wednesday night, they started vacation that lasted through the weekend. It was hard to be here and not see them right away but Katie and I went to Imbau on Thursday to visit a few houses of our kids that are within walking distance. With this extended weekend holiday for Brazil the gym we normally go to has been closed so Katie and I have taken to running in town and have found that quite a few people find it comical. We aren´t really sure if it is because we wear shorts and it is their winter or if runners are just hard to find here but it felt great to get out while the weather was nice. Oh how quickly that changed, yesterday was rainy and cold but today was freezing! Without heat in houses, I am having a hard time ever warming up my body and I am trying to get rid of the cold I have now developed. Aside from the cold temperatures, things are great with the kids and my host family. I am staying with Leondro´s family, the Brazilian who stayed with us for 3 months last year. He is studying in another city but his mom, dad and 14 year old brother Vitor have been great to me! Both the dad and Vitor studied/are studying English so it makes conversation alot easier. Things actually work out great as I can help them with their English and they are definitly helping with my Portuguese. It has been a huge test to be on my own, without Katie to lean on but it is just what I need to grow confident in my abilities and use what I know. Yesterday was Vitor´s birthday so to celebrate lots of family came over and we had a big barbeque, this made me miss my family back home but also made me feel like I had a family here. This weekend was a great chance for us to meet up with a lot of friends as once things get started with the project we find ourselves really busy and unable to do alot, especially during the week. The first day at the project, today was great! They have really pulled themselves together at PETI and have hired on 5 or so new teachers who teach various things. With so much help, the kids are broken into smaller groups which is much more managable and organized. Today when it was our turn with the kids we just took the time to catch up about anything new in their lives, got to know the large number of new kids we have and played a few games with them! We only have a few weeks to prepare for the group of 15 Americans coming but the kids and us are so excited to have them here! I have already put together a large list of things I need my mom to bring down :) The first week has been nothing short of amazing, we have quickly acustomed to the culture, food and language. It still excites me that this is where God has called me at this time in my life! My hope is to make this a weekly blog to make up for how infrequent it was last year. I will continue praying for all of you in the States and that is the most important thing we can ask from you guys as well. Enjoy the sunshine!!

BRAZIL BOUND ONCE AGAIN

Brazil Bound Once Again

To get ready to start blogging again I read through my blogs from last year and two things hit me- I was reminded just how bad I was at keeping up with them and I realized my grandpa was my number one follower! He passed away not long after I returned in December and I will absolutely miss the guaranteed comments that came from him. Thinking of and missing you in a special way, Grandpa. I think from the moment I left Brazil I knew I would be returning again but to appease my parents I gave college a long glance. After many college visits that left me with a sickening feeling of confusion, and long conversations with my parents, I decided I really needed to pray more about where God was calling me. A week of discernment felt more like an eternity but I finally came to the conclusion that I was being called to another extended stay in Brazil. Soon after, Katie came to this same realization and so now tomorrow the both of us leave for another 6 months! The excitement the second time around is a more relaxed, informed excitement as I think I have somewhat of an idea of what I am getting myself into although I know that with Brazil comes so many unexpected experiences that I can't wait to have! Different scares me so I am a little nervous about what this second round may bring as last year is hard to top so if I have a prayer request it would be that I may not compare the years and instead live in the moment and embrace whatever new things this year brings trusting that God is in control of it all! I think what I am most excited about is returning with a good feel for the language. Last year I spent the first 4 months studying all the time before finally feeling comfortable enough to open my mouth. Now that I have that base, I am ready to expand while still being able to communicate as soon as I step off the plane! With a few more letters to write, a few more things to stuff in my suitcases and a few more goodbyes to say, I am headed to dinner with the family as a final farewell. I am thinking Italian as it is something I will rarely eat in Brazil but as my dad keeps reminding me, I need to keep it cheap! :) One last thank you for all the support we have received from family and friends since returning, it has been a beautiful thing to realize how blessed I am. May God bless all of you for your kindness towards the work we do, none of it would be possible without generous people like you!

GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE, THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.