Cactus Flower

The photo above was taken about a year ago as my husband and I arrived in the States weary and worn. My mother was there.  She's been there for me and my family over and over and in many ways. Sometimes in person - like when she and Dad came to be with us for Dalton's birth in Fortaleza in 1997 as well as many other trips to Brazil.   She's been at the airport everytime I've flown in or out and now she's doing the same for the grandsons with our son, William's recent arrival in the States from Brazil. She and I don't agree totally on all things but we are frequently mistaken one for the other and I'm proud to have people say - in any sense - "You're just like your mother!" My mom and my dad have been the best of parents of missionaries - traveling, writing letters, learning about facebook and email and skype to stay in touch.  And now they are reaching out not just across the oceans of distance but across oceans o...

Uncle Bill K snapped this photo of the family back in February.  Aunt Vicki  passed it my way.  Uncle Tim and Uncle Gary made the conference thing happen for us.  Uncle Danny was even there from the States. So glad for the missionary family full of aunts and uncles for my boys.  Our trip to Triunfo and the conference of our missionary friends with BMMB was delightful and hence all the smiling faces.  I think the best part was our boys having opportunity to see all their missionary aunts and uncles and fellow MK's again after a few years' hiatus.  One missionary lady even told me about how one of my boys just out of nowhere come up to her and gave her a great hug once during the week. Calling missionary adults "aunt" and "uncle" is more than just a  term of respect for my boys in a land where the equilivants in Portuguese are well used to refer to adults.  It's a term of endearment and relationship.  I'll never forget one furlough w...