It’s beginning to look a lot like…

For Christmas this year we decided that rather than buy presents for each other, we’d take a family vacation to a beach on the coast of Brazil.
It was a….

4 am alarmin’
Car seat sleepin’
Christmas carol singin’
I spy playin’
Coffee drinkin’
Peanut munchin’
Backseat colorin’
Potty break stoppin’
Downpour rainin’
Silly story tellin’
12 hours travelin’

to arrive at Barra Da Lagoa on the island of Florianopolis for 10 specatcular, perfect, much needed days of,

Sand castle buildin’
Sunscreen slatherin’
River floatin’
Seafood eatin’
Family hikin’
Friend makin’
Wave jumpin’
Sweet surfin’
French fry eatin’
Crab huntin’
Shell collectin’
Lake swimmin’
Movie watchin’
Bunk bed sleepin’ (the girls LOVED it)
Late night gigglin’
Internet/phone lackin’
Ice cream lickin’
Suntan gettin’
Sand everywhere-in’
Dune climbin’
Early morning walkin’
Guitar playin’
Family hangin’
People watchin’
Sunset enjoyin’
Picture takin’
Memory makin’
Fantastic family vacation. I’m thinking’ this needs to be a new tradition….

 

View of Barra Da Lagoa, the beach where we stayed. You can see the river emptying into the ocean on the farr right of the beach.

 

French Fries!

Talent night

Great, fun night...those whose talents were in the kitchen brought YUMMY snacks for after the show=)

Micah sang a David Crowder Band song "Only You"

Dance of worship

Such a special lady

We even had a special apperance from Jonah!

WOTH Retreat

As a woman and a missionary in Brazil I was pretty excited when I heard about the following opportunity: Four days of speaking English. Four days of interaction with other missionary women from North America. Four days of rest and refreshment at a nice hotel.(that I didn’t have to pay for!) Four days where I could worship in English. Four days of girl time. Four days that I would not have to prepare a meal, wash a dish or scrub a floor. Four days of pampering. Four days of retreat with Women of the Harvest. YES! Sign me up!!!

Women of the Harvest (WOTH) is a non-denominational ministry of support and encouragement for women serving cross-culturally. I was completely blown away by this organization, which by the way I’d never heard of before! The love and commitment of the staff and volunteers with WOTH was remarkable and inspiring. These 20+ women came from the states to pour into, love on, encourage and invest in missionary women from all over Latin America!

God used these ladies as well as the other missionaries to bless my soul, lift me up, bring me to tears and realign my heart to HIS. This included hearing from the Lord through His Word each morning as the retreat speaker talked about “our identity in Christ”. My tears flowed as I sang my heart out in worship and spent time in quiet with my Lord. Not just tears, but also laughter as giggles erupted when we heard stories of silly or embarrassing things that have happened to fellow missionaries. My mouth smiled as I sat at the table with my small group and saw just how perfectly God had placed us together. Peace filled my heart in times of prayer with intercessors. My jaw dropped at the lavish generosity of the gifts brought from the states (coffee creamer, chocolate chips, bath and body works, peanut butter!…) The nights got late as my roommates and I stayed up taking and talking and talking. My muscles relaxed under the hands of a fabulous masseuse. My doubts were laid at His feet through quiet meditation. My home was at peace with my fabulous, handsome husband there loving on, taking care of and playing with our girls. My waistline was expanded with chocolate everywhere I turned. My skin was tanned sitting by the pool chatting with new friends. My gratitude overflowed as I saw the Lord turn hurting hearts into healed hearts. My mind rested as others took care of details. I was reminded just how small the world is as again and again connection were made, “you know so and so? Really, she’s from my hometown, he was my teacher, my son went to school with them…” My spirit was refreshed and renewed through conversation and affirmation. My heart was filled with joy at His marvelous works, attention to detail and perfect timing.

I could go on and on and one about the blessing from this four day retreat. The WOTH retreat really truly was a retreat in every sense of the word. I feel like I was pampered as a whole woman. In my emotions through supportive conversations, in my body through massage and a pedicure, in my spirit though time in the Word and prayer, in my mind through rest and reflection. As I boarded the bus for the 10 hour ride home there was much to reflect upon. Not the least of which is how great a blessing and privilege it is to be a woman living the life God has called me to. Working and serving here in Brazil, praying for wisdom as we raise up our girls to know, love and follow the Lord. Learning to support, encourage and walk beside my husband. In a word the joy it is to be one of many, many Women of the Harvest!!

PS. Check out Women of the Harvest at: womenoftheharvest.com and tell all your missionary friends about this wonderful ministry!

The pictures below are from this retreat.

Small Group

Best small group ever!

Showered with gifts

White elephant

down time

Soaking up some sun

Answere Prayer

Good
afternoon prayer warriors,

I just wanted to give an update on the two prayer requests that I send out a
couple weeks ago.

#1. Thank you for praying for Marla’s little brother Josh and the tests to see if
the skin cancer had spread.  The tests all came back cancer free and the
whole family is breathing a breath of relief. He said that until this
experience, he had never known personally the “peace that passes
understanding.”  He attributes that to the prayers of many, and wanted us
to specifically thank you all for those prayers.  So thank you!

#2. Our trip to Mozambique was better than even I expected.  All the travel
details went well, and Marla’s throat as well as Pastor Sandro’s wife’s
sickness cleared up shortly after we had arrived in Mozambique.  The
meetings went really well, and there have opened up many potential places to
partner.  One of the greatest felt needs of the young churches in
Mozambique is the preparation and training of their leaders.  There are
also great physical needs and potential evangelism projects around just about
every bush. What we had hoped to accomplish in this initial visit is establish
a relationship through which some of these concrete actions could be
facilitated in the future.  And beyond simply establishing this
relationship, we also came back with the green light to begin several different
projects.

The young leaders in Mozambique seemed to be like sponges soaking in as much as the
wisdom gained through 50 years of church experience as possible.  What is
great is that this partnership is between sister church organizations.  It
will not be simply one partner pouring into the other, but both churches
learning from and contributing to each other.  These are certainly new
days in world missions.  Everyone, from the missionary leaders to the
national church leaders to the Brazilian delegation, left the meetings feeling
very positive.  We do recognize that working on projects involving
participants from three or four completely different cultures is a lot easier
said than done; but certainly we have already begun to lay a good
foundation.  And these first concrete steps are certainly worth
celebrating.

On a practical level, I was much more involved in translating that I thought that
I would be.  I also did my best to begin helping our Brazilian brothers to
understand some of the dynamics necessary to be successful in cross cultural
ministry.  God’s timing was so evident through out these meetings, and it
was impressive to me that what we specifically prayed for, God made happen.

Thank you for helping make this all possible!

For
the only Cause that matters,

Micah

The Latest

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Just a short note today and a few pictures.  Three things:

1. About a month ago, I was asked to preach / give my testimony to a group of young people at the central church.  What I didn’t know when I agreed to such a thing was that they were planning that night as a special service.  There was actually a lot of work that went into that service, from decorations to fasting and prayer.  Well, God was definitely present and even though all my notes disappeared after I had already taken the stage, God gave me the right words to say.  At the end of the night there were a lot of people that made decisions to follow Christ.

2. My tickets for Mozambique have been purchased.  I’ll be leaving Brazil on Oct. 6 and  returning the night of the 13^th.  Thank you all who contributed to this fantastic opportunity.  Please pray for clear communication as we meet to discern God’s will in all of this.  Pray for our health as we travel (I haven’t been quite able to shake a cold for about a month now) and for our families in our absence.

3. This Saturday we’ll be holding our final “revival event.”  Following the same format as the other events that we put on, this one will only be a lot closer to home.  About 10 minutes from our house.   The past events were marked by a tremendous sense of God’s presence where God also confirm His calling on many people’s lives into full time ministry.   We would ask for your prayers for more of the same at this event.  One of the big differences in this event is that instead of  having 300 to 700 people
signed up like we did at the last two events; we have 1,700 already signed up to attend!  Needless to say, I’m trying
not to get nervous as I prepare what God would have me say in my 15 minutes.  Pray that God would use me and
Pastor Jacó (principally Pastor Jacó) as His mouth piece.  Pray that He would already be preparing people’s hearts.  Pray for the worship band and for all logistics of managing a group of that size.   We have great excitement and expectations
for this event, and I’m already excited to report back to you in a week’s time.

I’ve been long told that a testimony is made up of 3 basic parts: 1. Before I met Christ my life was…. 2. How I met Christ and 3. After I met Christ my life is now…

Well what do you do if you accepted Christ at 6 years old like I did?  Click the following PDF to read some of my processing through the questions: what was I saved “from” and how is my life now different.
Before and After

After months of anticipation, Gramma and Grampa ‘laska finally arrived here in Brazil. We’ve been busy having fun!

Grampa 'laska is ready to play.

Gramma 'laska is FINALLY here!!!

A rough Brazilian winter afternoon...

getting veggies and fruits at the feirra.

Making fresh OJ with Grampa. Simply Orange you are not missed around this here.

Noelle has to "taste" each one before she juices it!

They don't make Avocados like this in Alaska!! I made Dad his first avocado milkshake, and it was GOOD!

"Samara what are you doing?" "I'm a "vegtratarian" that takes care of sick animals"

picnic lunch at Park do Inga

Manicures!!

Look at those teeth

Gramma's got a iPOD with games!

flying lessons with Daddy

All clean and ready to play with Gramma

Dr. Samara and a very sick Grampa who apparently has a broken arm...

Micah and I went to Curitiba for three nights to spend time with an American team that was there working on the church where our good friends Marquis and Juliana are pastoring. So we went to work with the team, spend time with Manquis and Juliana and to celebrate our 8th aniversary. Gramma and Grampa 'laska were wonderful to stay home and take care of the girls. Samara was their translator and they used their immense creativity to keep everyone entertained through three days of rain!

Painting the wall around the church in Curitiba

Enjoying the botanical garden in Curitiba in the rain

Looks like Grampa found a way to have fun in the rain!

Noelle needs snuggle time when she wakes up in the morning and from her nap. With Mommy and Daddy gone we figured Gramma 'laska would get the honors but NOPE it had to be "Sis"

Noelle was really missing Mommy and Daddy so Gramma got her a picture of us. Apparently she carried it everywhere with her and slept with it too. Ahhhh.

Samara and Noelle were sitting waiting for us to drive in and they had their "special" things they had made for us. So sweet to see them so excited to have us back!

Pictures

Check out some new pictures on the pictures and videos page…

Full Days

Kind of been a busy couple of weeks around here.
Paulo and his family were here.
Noelle had her 2nd birthday.
Gwen Pinkerton a fellow OMS missionary came to visit for a weekend.
Micah had his 33rd birthday and we spent the day with some friends hiking in the jungle near a big river about 40 minutes away. We picked and ate guavas and other fruits that I cannot pronounce much less spell and picknicked at a lake.
There was a Happy day with the church with over 500 kids participating.
We started working in a small struggling daughter church about 30 minutes away.
Micah is traveling again to Campo Grande where he will be preaching/sharing his testimony tomorrow.

I'm "tuuu" (two)

Reading stories with Auntie Gwen

pondering

beautiful

Looking for ducks to feed

Watching the monkeys in the trees

Our "guide" telling us stories about riding innertubes down the river...not this day though, with all the rain it is ummm SWOLLEN and flooding

Micah and I cooling off by the river

Kids on Happy Day which is a kids event put on for and by all of our churches in the ara

Find a hill, lay down a a big tarp, add a water hose and some dish soap and Wha-la it's a slip and slide

Smart little girl...I think I'd bail too =0)

Gramma ‘laska’s side of the stoy

2000 words a day, isn’t that what girls are supposed to speak… This is probably an understatement for Samara who is quite the little conversationalist. And now she is singing and telling stories in Portuguese. One of her favorite things to do is talk to people on Skype and one of her favorite people to talk to is her Gramma ‘laska. Below is an email that Gramma ‘laska sent after a recent Skype conversation with Samara.

Somehow, I found myself smiling with a little chuckle under my breath all day long. How could I not be full of joy after the sweet, sincere Portuguese Bible lesson on Skype that began my morning. Just like she did it every day, Samara got her Bible and explained that this part was in English and this part was in Porgutuese and wanted to read me a story in Portuguese. I couldn’t understand the words, but the eyes and hands told it all. This was an important message! “Now I will tell you in English,” my tiny teacher offered. I heard about God’s name, his love, his death on the cross to forgive me, and that he loves14 and 22 hundred people all at the same time! I was informed that I would die and go to heaven first, then she would grow up to be a grandma and come to heaven and we would be together EVERY DAY…but maybe she might die first…we really didn’t know. I was instructed to be sure and tell Grandpa ‘Laska that he would be in heaven with us, too. And Gma and Gpa Oregon…and Noelle…and Uncle Josh and lots more people. When I sugggested Samara tell her daddy the story she just told me, she informed me that he already knew all about it.
Then the topic turned to the Israelites as Samara thumbed through the pages looking for the right place. The Portuguese version of the story was quite lengthy, once again filled with expression and gestures and was followed by an English translation. Those Israelites marched around SEVEN times and that wall just fell right down. “And this is a TRUE story!!” she emphasized. After that came the Porgutuese counting lesson way past seven…all the way to thirty.
Noelle joined her sister in front of the camera with a pile of books of her own. So eager to be like big sister, Noelle’s storytelling is on its way! The dancing eyes and big smile tell it all. After the 5 minute warning that it was naptime for the girls and work time for Grandma, Noelle blew kisses and we said out goodbyes. I logged off and was preparing to leave for work when a Skype call came right back to my computer. “Never forget, I love you Grama’Laska. Bye.”
“Never forget, I love you Samara, Bye”
I think everyday in heaven with you will be almost too good to be true!

Special Delivery

Samara and Noelle were conviently occupied with markers, glue and glitter as I descretely locked the door between the kitchen and dining/living room. As the girls sat as the dining room table happily glittering their freshly colored snowmen, a little white pickup pulled up to our gate and honked. Micah snuck out to help unload a very special delivery.

This was the girls Christmas present from Gramma and Grampa Oregon and Gramma and Grampa ‘laska.

They were just a LITTLE BIT excited!! A few minutes later after we’d explained that this was a present from their grandparents, Samara got a funny look on her face and asked “How did they fit it in a box?” She thought that like all of the other great suprises and presents that have arrived in Brazil from Grammas and Grampas that this playhouse must have come in the mail. This little pink house has been the location of many a giggle, a kitchen for making cookies, a nursery for armloads of dollies, a jungle gym for Noelle as she climbs in and out of windows, a hopital for sick stuffed animals and it was even caroled by Micah and I on Christmas eve as we “visited” the girls with a plate of cookies singing We Wish You A Merry Christmas. And I have a feeling that this special delivery will keep on delivering fun and laughter for years to come.

Where Do Ants Live?

Prior to moving to Brazil, I figured that ants lived in the ground or maybe a tree or maybe even in the walls.  Since moving here… I’m leaning that it isn’t always so.  We have found colonies of ants living in our cupboards behind the coffee can, in our mail basket, in our copy machine/scanner and most recently in the circuits and battery compartment of a digital voice recorder.  We have no idea what attracts them or why they decide to take up residence and lay their eggs in places where there is no hiding or no protection… but for some reason they do.  Our can of raid has been a constant companion these days!

Feira

There are moving markets here. Different days of the week they are in different locations around the city. The one closest to our house is on Saturday mornings. Mostly there are sellers of fruits and veggies, but also word work, some meats and fish, cheese and spices as well as random other things. It’s always fun to go and often we let the girls pick out whatever fruit or vegetable they want.

Saturday morning at the Feira (market)...

my weakness, wonderful ready to eat mangos.

Beans, beans, beans

This is our favorite place to buy fresh roasted coffee.

About 8 pounds of oranges for $1.50. We drink a whole lot of delicious fresh squeezed OJ.

Cleaning supplies anyone? These brooms totally rock!

Who needs Ross?

You can even buy replacement straps/rubber toe things for your flip flops!

Casamento (Wedding)

Spent a wonderful weekend in Londrina for the wedding of our very good friends Wesley and Rosiane. They were part of a discipleship group that Micah led. Samara and Noelle were invited to sleep over at Aunt Gwen’s (fellow OMS missionary). Samara was SUPER excited as Gwen is one of her favorite people and she remembered the last time they’d stayed with Gwen they’d had red Jello! It was a full weekend as we tried to take advantage of our time and see as many friends as we could. The Wedding was beautiful and we were blessed and honored to be padrinhos. Brazilians do not have bridesmades and groomsmen who stand up with them, they have special people/couples who come in before the bride and are seated somewhere special. In this wedding we were one of 16 couples!!

All dressed up and no children in sight!

our entrance (the camera was in the hands of teenagers most of the night...got lots of silly and blurry pictures)

beautiful traditional ceremony...you can see us off to the right sitting at the table, I'm kinda peeking around Micah's shoulder

Happily Hitched!!

the happy couple being pelted with rice and rose petals. They left the reception for about 2 hours to go take pictures all around town.

We all snacked on finger foods while they were gone. And dinner was served at about 11pm

The cake is not real and is rented just for pictures...somewhere in the back was a real cake that was served at about 1:30am

But Mom…

(whiney three year old voice) “But Mom, I just want one teeny weeny piece.” But Mom, I’m feeding my dolly right now.” But Mom, I need a few more minutes.”
It seems that every time Samara is asked to do something her first response is “But Mom…” This has been driving me nuts the past few weeks and we’ve been working on and practicing doing what Mommy asks the FIRST time without whining or complaining.
We practiced saying “Ok Mommy” and doing whatever was asked right away. We tried “redo’s” where Samara got a chance to “redo” the situation and make a different choice. This seemed to make no change in her usual first response so we moved on to consequences such as losing the toy, book, piece of candy, privilege that was causing the delay, and her being able to earn it back with an “Ok Mommy” response later on. Why does it make me crazy when she doesn’t do what I ask the first time? I’m not exactly sure but it has to do with respect and obedience, being heard and listened to. I’m the Mom, she’s the kid and I expect her to obey. I love her so so so much and desire only the best for her, and to me part of helping her is to teach her to choose obedience and respect.

On my walk this afternoon I felt God tap tapping me on the shoulder and I realized that as of late my first response to God has been “But God…” When He prompts me to talk to someone, when He says “stop, sit and spend time with me.” “But God, I’m on my way somewhere, But God there’s laundry to fold, floors to scrub, little girls to play with and diapers to wash. But God I’m tired and would rather take a nap. But God, I’ll do it later, But God, but God…

I wonder if it makes Him as crazy as it makes me? I know that He just wants me to choose Him above all else. Why is that so hard sometimes?

WHEW

WHEW…

Pretty much sums up our wonderful and whirlwind trip to the states.
Spent a fantastic week with my parents in the Homer area where
We enjoyed catching and eating fresh red salmon, A backyard hot dog roast complete with gooey s’mores, hunting for frogs in the pond, wresting with Uncle Josh, reading lots of stories, sharing with Homer Christian Church, doing puzzles with great Gramma “Nana”, playing on the pirate ship, bouncing on the trampoline with Aunt Heather, taking advantage of Gramma and Grampa and going on a date! and picnicking on Whiskey Gulch. It was a great time.

From Homer we headed to Sitka where Micah’s brother lives and spent a week enjoying
Some of the local hiking trails, visiting the library, hanging out with family, getting to know Emily’s family, hosting a bachelor party (Micah=), ironing groomsmen outfits, picnicking on an island, kayaking, being happily surprised when Josh and Heather walked on the plane and spent the week with us, staying up late, eating well at rehersal dinner, spray painting signs, taking care of last minute wedding errands and most of all being there to share in Aaron and Emily’s big day!!

From Sitka it was on to Newberg where it felt like summer time with motorcycle rides, cold watermelon, reconnecting with friends, burgers on the grill, Tuesday night prayer meeting, reading stories on Gramma’s lap, a day at the beach, playing with the water hose, enjoying the neighborhood park, thrift store shopping, munching popcorn at a local concert, jumping on the tampoline and buying things like pancake syrup and coffee creamer.

Whew…as I said it was a wonderful whirlwind!
Check out some pictures on the pictures and videos page

REAL! Fishing

I’m in Alaska with my Gramma and Grampa ‘laska and we are having SO much fun.
My Grampa built me and my sister a play house and a pirate ship in his backyard
and I love to “walk the plank.” I also make yummy food in my playhouse kitchen.
One day we went fishing in Grampa’s boat. I had to wear a special jacket to keep me
safe. We rode in the boat to a place called Tutka Bay Lagoon and there were lots
of other boats there. Mommy and Daddy got out on the beach to fish and I stayed
on the boat. A few minutes later with BIG eyes I said ” This is REAL fishing, I’ve never
done REAL fishing before only pretend fishing!!” I was super super super excited.
My Grampa had a special little fishing pole for me to use and he helped me catch my first
red salmon. Alaska is so FUN! My Great Gramdma ‘Nana’ is here visiting also and we are all making
lots of memories together.  You can see lots more pictures on our picture and videos page.

Set The Hook!!!

Proud fishergirl