Cactus Flower

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 ...

Someone we know is having a birthday today.   Who could it be?  Watch the video letter to find out!

March 2019 There's my babes!  Chase and Mariyah.  My Stateside grandbabies. When we travel people here ask about them and about my sons.  And I enjoy telling about them, but I don't say too much.  Just don't want to monopolize any casual conversations.  If the questions are specific and if someone seems genuinely interested, out pops the cell phone and I hunt for my file of photos. Often I hear new grandmothers closer to where we live chatting about recent visits with theirs.  I keep quiet and enjoy the thoughts of my recent phone conversations and video chats.  I don't speak up too much about how I make YouTube videos for my babes, send them regular real paper cards and pray for them every day.  I don't share my hopes that when they are big enough they can spend their summers in Brazil with Mama and Papa.   February 2018 Nope, I just wait.  That's the life of a missionary mama.  I can be patient.  I send gifts fro...