Cactus Flower

  Two days after our very long trip back to Brazil we jumped right into all the fun of Pedro and Luana getting married including bachelor and bachelorette parties (more like mild gatherings) and getting their documents at the justice of the peace. We were happy to have made it in time to participate in all the events, but we were just a little tired still and sorting through our luggage and trying to find things in our house. Thankfully our dear neighbors helped out with some meals that first week. The happy couple left later that same week to head to the location of their wedding ceremony in the state of Minas Gerais.  We spent the rest of our first full week trying to get things in order at home.  All of our vehicles needed something, the washing machine was working right, and our water purifier wasn't doing its job.  Little by little we felt more at home and all the cold of the USA wore off as temperatures between rains soared. And we found many places where water...

 

  Not me.  I'll never do that.  Don't even imagine it.  No way.  Not on your life.    Everywhere we went on during the past seven months while in the United States of America people would ask the same question.  It may have been worded slightly differently, but basically it was the same and my answer was basically the same.  What was the crazy question?  When are you going to retire, come back to the USA and enjoy your grandchildren? Well, well.  This question could infer several things:   We look old and tired We've been in Brazil since forever  Churches are looking for newer missionaries And always my answer?  Not us  We have a brand-new ministry  We love our grandchildren even from afar But the question is valid.  As our parents age, as we age, as perhaps missions needs new blood in the game, old missionaries must consider their future on the field.  Have we thought about the next ten years...

  Thank you!  Thank you for an incredible furlough.  Thank you for changing up your schedules, for including us in what you do and for making our time in the USA memorable and refreshing.   We love each of you so much.  Living close by (real close for one son) was so nice.  Lunches, suppers, parties.  What a time!  Here are just a few of my favorite memories of 2024...

  I happened upon an archive of old home video from our furlough in 2018 while transferring items to a new laptop.  Oh, what fun to watch!  Decided to put them in a little video collage.  Making important memories while in the USA with our grands is important!  It takes a little effort and a little intent.   Enjoy! In memory of Papa Potter

This is part of a message delivered this week to the Ladies Missionary Circle of Community Baptist Church of Reidsville, North Carolina. Today we are going to talk a little about Christmas in Brazil.  It may not be exactly what you think!  Brazil is a large and very diverse country.  It is actually as big as the United States in size.  Before we begin our trip around the country, let's start with a verse. Over my thirty some years in Brazil, I have had to learn to be content in whatsoever "state" I was.  During the holidays this has not always been easy.  Finding my "happy place" on Christmas Day has been a journey.  I'll share a little of that as we go along.  Here are a few questions for you to consider as I share about Christmas in Brazil. Our first stop on our journey around Brazil is the huge city of Fortaleza.  It is located on the coast and is truly a beach town where even the Christmas trees in displays in city parks are often made of...