Ending 2009

  When I look back on this year I smile. God has been SOOOO good and faithful to me. I often don't have the words to express how much I love Him and how strong I feel His love. I am undeserving, but He is amazing! In love with His unconditional and steadfast love.
  Christmas was an interesting time. I am now in Sao Paulo at my friend Maria's house. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas with her husband's family. They live in Campinas, it is about an hour and a half from Sao Paulo city. They didn't even eat dinner until midnight. Then there was Amigo Secreto, like Secret Santa, that did not start until 1:30 am. It was a late night! The people were really nice. Brazilians are very friendly. They taught us how to samba, too. I say, us, meaning myself and Lauren. Lauren and I work together and she is spending Christmas with me. Christmas night we went to the movies.
  This break time is nice, laying around is great! Lauren and I are tired from the stressful semester. The Christmas Program went great. The kids did a good job. The last 2 days of school we had a whole school chapel and then Christmas parties. The staff Christmas party was nice too.
  Reflecting before the new year is nice. I just learned that Brazil has a tradition that before the new year you buy a new pair of panties and you pick a color reflecting what you want for the new year. For example, red means you want passion, pink means love, yellow means money, and white means peace. I am trying to decide which color I want...LOL.
  For New Year's we are going to Guaraja! The beach! Yay! Sooo excited! We are going to be there for 5 days. RELAXATION! Life is good!

Tis the Season...

Worship team Christmas Party

Christmas Program Rehearsal

One gorgeous day, my girls and I read outside

 Jesus is the reason for the season! I have always loved Christmas! Christmas for me is a time of love, joy, hope and celebrating! Growing up my parents told us the true meaning of Christmas and I had no idea who Santa Claus was until I was in school. We have always celebrated Jesus' birthday and I always will.
  I am rejoicing because I am staying in Brazil this holiday season. I am going to Sao Paulo to stay with Maria and her husband. There is another American teacher coming with me since her family is coming to visit in January she is not going home. It should be a fun time.
   Work is crazy right now with the Christmas Program coming up! We are rehearsing a lot and making costumes like crazy. I wish you all could come and see. I did the dances...except the high school one...I did the basics and they basically screwed the rest up. They have bad attitudes about having to dance and it shows when they dance. Yikes! Other than that the other students look great!
  This weekend I attended 2 Christmas Parties. The first one was for the worship team at the international church and it was a lot of fun! It was my first outing without having anyone else from the school in attendance. It was great! The second one was super secular and it was a 'White Trash Christmas Party'--I felt out of place and didn't stay long. It was thrown by some teachers at the other international school. Crazy times.
  In case you did not know, yes, I am staying in Brazil! Deus e fiel! God is faithful. The only other issue is that we now have to move apartments...BEFORE the break! Ahhh!
  I am STILL content with the wonderful life that God has blessed me to live!