Three Week Update!

This is the email update that was sent out, more detailed stories to come! I've gotta go play Uno Attack with the kids!

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Sunsets.
Sunsets have always made for sweet sweet times with the Lord, relaxing and reflecting, how sweet of a Father to continue that here in Brazil! Most nights I get to come home and sit in my big open window that looks out as the sun is just starting to really set. With all of the huge hills and valleys, I get to listen to so many sounds and be entertained!
Rainy season is in full swing here! I often wake up to what seems like a monsoon occurring yet everyday life here keeps going! The boys and I are tracking the rain in Science and anxiously await the new day to measure how much rain actually fell.

Well, life here seems to be in full swing! Tomorrow will start week four!

PRAISES & PRAYER REQUESTS!

The family has found out that their paperwork necessary for residency was sent to the place it needed to FINALLY and that means that it is out of the hands of the locals aka They can continue life as planned here- So Lord willing, the trip in March to Peru will still work out well!

They also have had two requests to go to the states for training/work related things and have their vacation to the states planned for June, so please be in prayer for the details of these things!

Homeschooling has been going SO well. The boys and I are learning each other and how to best use our time together. The oldest and I have started doing Tuesdays and Thursdays a little extra school during rest time (Yes, I have rest time as a part of my days, Praise the Lord!) to get school done, Lord willing, before they leave in June for the States. One of the many blessings I have seen with school and living overseas- amazing gifts and opportunity for flexibility! Pray that it all works well and that the oldest continues to be excited for our extra "hangout" time in the afternoons!

Both parents have been able to go out and practice talking with people in Portuguese while the big boys are doing school and baby boy is napping in the mornings. They are still seeking out more opportunities to practice, so please be in prayer for that. They have found a class that a local church/Bible school has early Friday mornings, so they went last week and it was pretty interesting!

The internet has been a sweet helper these past few weeks and has been alive and well! I can only have one tab open at a time, which I am starting to think is more of a blessing :) I splurged a little on Pinterest this week to celebrate the internet, true story. The family is still trying to figure out their permanent internet solution ( a normal wait on the phone is 2 hours we are told..) with that not being an option or possibility to sit and wait like that, we are eagerly awaiting another solution so that they can better do the things they need to do.

The other seven spread out among Latin America have all said that ministry is going well/beginning and that life is life in their countries!

 

Sara, one of the girls living next to me invited me to their church last week, because it was right then and I wasn't familiar with the church, I told her maybe another time. BUT how great of her and her family, the also brought me DINNER one night this week and it was AMAZING! So, so sweet. Slowly we are building life here! Please be in prayer as I navigate relationships outside of the family but along side our ministry here. Language is the HUGE barrier, but as a lot of us know- the Lord laughs at that statement ha. The family here is excited to help me in connecting with people so we are praying for opportunity and willingness to participate in the good work!

 

I have gotten to do one date night for the family, and hope to do many more. Most of you know the blessing of date nights, whether you have been taken on one or helped with making one possible. Most of you also have a church body to help with these things, it looks a little different out here and is a bit harder for the families to get out. Praising the Lord for how he has knit my desires for date nights to happen and their need for date nights. Such a sweet Valentines day!

They have welcomed me in SO well, I could not have asked or prayed for more. The Lord is so so good.

I have gotten to visit 2 different churches with the family, they are seeking out what will be best for their family and ministry. Be in prayer that they/we find a sweet community of believers to connect with. They were invited to a bible study this week so we are hoping that works out! It is a sweet treat to be entering in with this family on so many new things together. They haven't been here for every long so we are getting to do it together!

 

The other family working here is continuing to prepare for baby girl #3! We had a sweet sweet time last Saturday celebrating her and the family. Please continue to pray for that sweet (still no name just yet!) beautiful girl and her family as they prepare to bring her into the world here in Brazil! My family here will hopefully be in Peru, so I will be getting to help with things there- Pray for all that goes in to having a baby. Most of you know and have helped with births/ new families having babies- heck we even have a whole ministry dedicated to that. Here, not so much at all. Creativity and flexibility are big prayers here! We serve a good Father who provides for all that we need.

 

One of my dearest friends is getting MARRIED! Selfishly we would love for me to be there, and that is HARD! I could not be more excited for this day to celebrate all that the Lord has done. Please pray for my hear that I will continue to be excited, yet focused here.

The future and what life will look like when I get home has started to creep in, plans that I cannot possibly know or make happen so I NEED the Lord. He is a good Father that has it all completely planned, so perfectly for His glory and my good. Please pray that I seek Him and his righteousness all the day long.

Santiago and I are doing well. PLEASE continue to pray for our hearts and lives. That we would always honor the Lord and love one another well. Pray for wisdom on how to actively date well, yet not prepare for life as though we are engaged because we are not :) That man is so wonderful, patient and beyond forgiving. I am so overwhelmed by the picture the Lord is creating of His love and gospel.

This is prettttty long, I just don't know another way it seems :) I love for you all to know what life is looking like here and pray that you are seeing His goodness and faithfulness. I love you and thank you for your prayers!

 

Love you!