==M A R C H==

March is here! Week 5 starts tomorrow! Oh your prayers have been heard and are so appreciated. Really, life here cannot function without much prayer to the Lord. Some of the "exciting" new things have come and gone, yet every day seems to be new and exciting haha!

PRAYERS and PRAISES! Never short..ha!

The biggest news is that the family I am working with has been house hunting! Their rent house is no longer for rent.. ha. SO We pray daily for something to QUICKLY open up and for all their needs to be met in this next place. Deal breakers here are water supply, internet connections and if the doors are not complete see through glass. True story, a house had glass doors on every door..just think about that one. hahah. They would love to have something before their trip coming up to Peru- for that has much to take care of in itself!

Language learning has been going better for them! Much more time has been able to be spent out talking with other people, in their Friday Portuguese class and even a Bible Study on Friday nights. They have their BIG language evaluation this TUESDAY, so please pray for that to go well!

We have been to a few more churches, and there is one more they would like to visit so be in prayer that the Lord will show them where to best getting connected. The wife and I have been invited to a few get together's with other ladies so that has been fun so far! Lots of laughs :)

Homeschooling has been flowing so well! The boys and I are learning SO much, so exciting. They will have a while off from school coming up while they are at their home school conference, so we are getting ready for that. They also have a presentation type thing they each have as a part of it to show what they have been learning. One has picked clouds, as we have been tracking the types of clouds and weather each day. The other became fascinated with WWI and WWII and is telling the stories of those. So special to see them growing in knowledge and that they are excited about it! Prayers for them as they confidently share what they are passionate about!

My time with Sara, the little girl next door has been SO sweet and full of grace from the Lord! She comes over any time my door is open..which is any time I am home :) We sit and do crafts because those don't take much talking ha! She has become fascinated with my ipod shuffle and Jeff Johnson's music, hilarious.


The other night she came by to invite me to church. I was tired and really didn't want to honestly. I could not think of excuses..in Portuguese at least. So in our rough translations I got ready and waited as I prayed for the Lord to change my heart. Her mom came by to walk over with us and we went down the street to their church (her dad is the pastor of a small Baptist church here) I was greeted so sweetly and her mom was quick to share I knew NO Portuguese :) I sat and listened to Hillsong's Sill in Portuguese and watched their service. The Lord is so sweet to kick us. He reminded me of His love and desire for me to grow. I don't like different or uncomfortable when I have a choice about it. Oh, what a blessing it was! But isn't it always though, when we are in His presence and will? Love it.

Please pray for our time together, PRAISE God that the gospel is not limited to words, text, actions or anything else.. That he is so much bigger! Pray for our communication, however it happens and that I will joyfully love this sweet girl how the Lord has created me to.

An older girl with a sweet baby from next door came over one day to use my stove! Such a small thing, but the Lord opens doors! We were able to talk more using Google translate since she can type and spell (Sara is too young haha) sot that was exciting. Praying we can continue to "get to know each other" through Google..

I was able to go with the other family one night to hang out with friends from another ministry here and hear of the work they are doing. It is so exciting to see others lives here and how they are serving. I get a small GLIMPSE of what living missionally looks like, and I am so thankful.

A big trip is coming up soon after baby #3 is born, we are praying for the details of that, the others that will be arriving to go along and that the gospel will be received.

Baby #3 will be coming SOON! Continue to pray for the family, as the days are long and HOT here! I have been able to go over a few afternoons to help with the two other little girls. Such a sweet time, the Lord is so gracious to provide ways for me to serve that I love. Pray for the sweet baby girl growing-they have another appt tomorrow to hopefully get a few more details sorted out for the big day! The wife's mom will be coming down, so we are praying for the details of that and praising the Lord for the sweet gift of Mommas!

Speaking of mommas, mine got to take her first ride on a big ol' airplane! She went to California for work training/conference. Such a sweet blessing! I have been able to talk a little more with everyone from home and be encouraged immeasurably. Continue to pray for our connections to be fruitful.

Life here has been going! Things take a lot longer, but are treasured SO much more because of that!

The Lord has been gently showing me that these months away are like an extended Lent season. A time of separation and a time of filling up. As I continue on (and sometimes I am not sure how I will..Culture Shock came last week.) Please pray for the work the Lord is doing. In the lives of the people here, the people serving/living life here, people back in the States-the Lord is using and teaching everyone when our eyes and hearts are just open to him. So amazing.

I love you all and I am so thankful for your love! Praying for you throughout the week!