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!