Cactus Flower

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Years ago holidays for our missionary family were spent with other expat missionary families.  When our boys were small and we lived in the big city of Fortaleza, there were always special plays and holiday programs at the school for missionary children.  Even after we moved to Bahia there were plenty of missionary families to share in the festivities and with whom we could enjoy a Thanksgiving meal or a Christmas dinner or a New Year's brunch.   A few years we had family from the USA here in Brazil.  That was always exciting for our boys.  Nowadays the pickings are slim.  There just aren't any more families around and our own boys are all in the United States.   As missionary empty nesters the holidays can seem rather unexciting. 2017 In 2017 we were in the States for the holidays and dear family friends went along with us for Christmas.  That was an incredible year.  We saw and enjoyed snow. In 2018 we were back in Brazil and...

December 20,2023 Dear Mariyah, Gramma never thought about having a girl as wonderful as you from whom I'd have to live so far.  Oh, but I treasure the special moments we have had over your seven years.  I cherish the fact that you have been to my house in Brazil.  You were so little.  Papa Vovô and I were absolutely happy.   What a time that was...  You were a "hit" everywhere you went! And Gramma had the wonderful joy to spend almost every afternoon with you during our furlough in 2018.  You were walking and talking by then.  We lived in the church mission house.  Gramma counted every day as a blessing. Well, little Sissy, I hope you know for certain how much Gramma Michele loves you.  I have prayed for you since before you were born, and always will. Tomorrow you will be 7.  Where oh, where did the years go!  I'm happy I got to see you on two different trips this year and one last year!  I even got to sleep in ...

  On our way to the graduation at the Peniel Bible Institute, Byron and I were able to stop at a little Dutch immigrant city called Holambra.   We walked the streets, toured the parks, took lots of photos and bought bread and lunchmeat from a fancy grocery store for a picnic lunch. It was a special treat to enjoy the clean streets and beautiful flowers.  Check out my latest video letter made for my grandchildren to see a little more of our recent happenings.

  In the wee hours of the morning on December 1, 2023 Byron and I left the land of goats and no rain to head down to state of Minas Gerais where all the fields are green. The reason for our trip was to attend the graduation ceremonies at the Peniel Bible Institute where young people from Sobradinho have been studying over the past few years.   The weekend was full of joy and excitement to participate in this important moment. Pedro Henrique, Bruno and Maria Luiza finished the three year course with flying colors and much applause.  I was given the honor to accompany Pedro as a representative of his family.  Little baby Samuel was carried by Bruno as he and Maria Luiza walked in together.  It was a moment I will not long forget. One of the guest speakers had each graduate stand with their Bibles in hand to hear his charge.  He promptly asked each one to raise the Word of God with their arms outstretched.  As he spoke, of course, arms began to sag. ...

  Today begins the use of a new number - 58!  Hope I can remember it!  I had a hard time piping up with 57 all during the past year.  Just couldn't seem to remember.  But here we are. My mother was out shopping when she felt it was time to go to the hospital, and I like to shop!  She ate a tuna fish sandwich if I'm not mistaken before she went to the hospital, I like tuna fish!  That story may have been before my brother was born. My mother loves the Lord and enjoyed many years of telling children about Jesus.  I like that, too! I'm glad my birthday fell on a Monday.  It's my day "off" from our missionary-ing.  Today I plan on a simple lunch and tackling some much needed laundry.  But I woke up early with a desire to write just a little.   As a girl I knew that being a missionary was my life's call.  I've done so many different types of work since coming to Brazil.  What I'm doing now is what I had always envisio...

  Time for a new video letter from Gramma Michele in Brazil.  Get your popcorn and put on some warm socks, unless your watching in Brazil!  Then you may want some ice cream instead!