Cactus Flower

Since we have come home on furlough, many people have been asking me about our oldest's plans for college.  That's one of the questions that is natural to hear... but hard to answer.  You see, I am of the opinion that my boys don't have to leave Brazil at some magic age. All three of our boys were born and raised in Brazil.  All three speak better Portuguese than I ever will.  And even though they have been reared up in a mixed culture family with English and Portuguese, American food and norms, they are their own person.  Why do we assume MK's have to go away? William is considering college in Brazil.  He has not made definite plans yet, but his return ticket to Brazil is already bought and paid for.  After his high school graduation in May, I know that he will have many decisions - I plan to trust in the good things that William has been taught and God's leading in his life.  William - go or stay!  There is no magic time that MK'...

Mexican bodegas on every corner Dollar General stores in every little town, good prices, too Lack of skirts in churches and to buy, even in Belks I had forgotten how much it rains in NC The roads are all so nice and smooth and the highways so black and fast The USA might be having hard times economically but many malls and restaurants are full  Everything is so green; must be all that rain All the little kids I remember have their own now Goodwill stores are busy Everybody has a cell phone that does things - even little kids

Byron and I have been on the mission field for close to twenty years now.  We can be very thankful for great parents who visit us on a regular basis while in Brazil.  We can also be thankful for great friends who pray for us and pick right back up with our friendship while in the States.  So much has changed in the States over the past twenty years.  When we left for Brazil, Bill Clinton, was in office.  9/11 had not occured.  American troops had not gone to Iraq.  It nice to know that the love of family and good friends doesn't change just like the love of God - unending, everlasting. Over the next six months we hope to reconnect with aunt and uncles and cousins, college and high school friends, and supporting churches.  It's not much time, but we'll do what we can! Take Care!

We arrived in the States just a few short days before Christmas.  Thinking about buying gifts and decorating a house could have been an overwhelming task.  The cultural shock of shopping in general can be rough enough when coming home on furlough.  The grocery store in Brazil where I do most of my shopping has four short aisles.  There's one brand of most things and most of the stuff sold in American grocery stores doesn't even exist.  Transport yourself to a Walmart Super Center on Christmas Eve with all those aisles and all those people and all that stuff! Thankfully my family is not materialistic.  The week before Christmas was spent at my parents' house in Virginia with all our immediate family all around.  We enjoyed good homecooking and simple gifts.  Our boys got to spend quality time with grandparents and cousins. Simple gifts are the best.  Consider if your holiday celebrations are truly honoring to God.  D...