Ramblings

Things are moving right along here in Portugal. Our days are full of language classes, left-over schoolwork & attempts to minister in Portuguese. Sometimes these attempts go over better than others, but we are trying nonetheless.

Michael has held devotions in Portuguese twice and will be preaching in Portuguese for the first time at the end of August. His anticipation grows with each passing day, then is replaced with fear and apprehension. He does very well and is encouraged by the kind comments he gets from those present at the church services where we have had the privilege to attend the last few months. Last night we had dinner with the Pastor and his wife. We spoke only Portuguese and managed to have a delightful time and a delicious meal. We left their house about midnight exhausted, but encouraged in what God is doing here in northern Portugal.

Brooklyn has been invited to eat supper with her friend tonight. This same friend, Ines ate supper with us last week. It was a spur of the moment kind of thing. We have this Portuguese girl in our home, supper is ready and I don't want to say,"Go Home", so we invite her to stay. She eagerly runs home to ask permission and her mom actually said yes! So she ran back, we put another place setting at the table and she ate grilled salmon, mashed potatoes and bread. She tried my green beans, but very discreetly spit them back out. Michael, trying to make conversation with her, asked her what her favorite meat was. She responded, lingua de boi (beef tongue). So....I'm not going to tell Brooklyn this! She (Brooklyn) got the "talk". We told her that she is making our first impression on this family and that this is her opportunity to "minister". She took that challenge with enthusiasm promising to eat what was offered her and to use her best manners. I'll let you know how it all turns out!

My birthday is around the corner and my husband has been faithful to remind me I'm now in my mid thirties. My kids do the same. However, with my finding a new gray hair everyday (sometimes several of them) and with the way my body feels when I get out of bed, no one needs to remind me. Just remember this...if you knew me when I was a kid and your thinking..."Boy, she's getting old." ----You're still older than me!