Cactus Flower

November, 2012 Is there a magic formula that guarantees that God will answer my prayer?  Oh, if only there was!  I'd sure like to know what it is!  I remember very clearly the moment of this photo taken by a missionary friend, Renate Reiner.  It was at a ladies' rally in Juazeiro, Bahia in 2012.  My husband and I were in the beginning of problems with one of our three sons. It would turn out to be a long haul.  We had yet to really "tell" anyone.  But that day in this little group I asked for prayer for one of my boys and some problems in our family. I would pray basically that same prayer over the next years... 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and most of 2016.  God, save my son.  God finally answer that prayer on a night in 2016.  Our son, all by himself in the woods, saw God for who He really is and asked forgiveness for his sins.  And God answered my prayer. P  It was in His time, at just the right hour and in just the righ...

When your MK babes are little, you try not to think too much about THAT DAY.  That day when they will start to make life decisions that include GO or STAY.  When Greyson was little, he would often say that he would never leave me and would always help me... Of course, little boys often tell their mothers that B.G.F. = Before Girl Friends!  Seriously, having our boys with us on the field was very important.  Our boys were mostly homeschooled and very involved in our work.  Greyson was the music man at our church here in Brazil for quite a few years.   Before he went back to the States in the fall of 2017, he left a legacy of trained musicians that continue what he started with faithfulness.  His vacancy in our work was huge, but filled because of his foresight at a young age.  And it left a huge hole in our home as the last of our nest to fly away... Just before Greyson's senior year, good friends in the States offered to...

This past Thursday, Friday and Saturday the local congregation, Igreja Batista Maranata, hosted a Vacation Bible School event.  Vacation time for school kids here in Brazil is December, January and the beginning of February and a few weeks off in the middle of the year.  Since we are south of the equator, everything is opposite! Byron and I had a little more participation than in the past as some of the teens were actually back in school already.  Our young people are all getting up into college and technical courses these days and don't have all the free time they used to.  I helped with some of the stories and snacks.  Byron was a bouncer and control man looking out for the unruly little twerps!  And he provided for assistance during the three days.   We are super thankful for regular financial gifts that help with such undertakings.  The church here is small and would have a hard time providing snacks and prizes for a big even...