3 Years.....

...ago this week, we said Good-Bye to America.

...and we left for Portugal. At the airport saying good-bye to a few friends and family.  Our friend, Ms. Lora (in yellow) came with us and stayed for 2 weeks.  It was a blessing having here here to help with the kids while we set up the house.

 

 

 

After over 24 hours of travel, three flights and two rented vans later...we finally arrived at our home!  (Michael and I were able to go to Portugal two moths earlier and arrange housing and a family vehicle so that when we arrived, we could all go "home" and have a vehicle waiting on us...the battery was dead, but it was there.)

Walking up to the gate for the first time!  (I'm so glad Ms. Lora was there to capture these moments for us.)

Having difficulty unlocking the door.......at this point, I was SO tired and SO ready to be here, that I was already contemplating breaking a window and shoving a kid inside to unlock the door.

"For real....this key is NOT working!"  (We finally realized you have to pull on the door while unlocking it...our first of many lessons we learned on this first day in Portugal!)

God's gift to me for a hard 16 months of deputation.....Calla Lilies in my own yard!!!!

Happy kids and beautiful weather! (Uncommon for this time of year...but a welcomed surprise.)....(the beautiful weather is uncommon, not the happy kid part.)

Flowers already in bloom.  In the center of town, near the market.

The kids had never seen oranges ON trees before!  (As most adults probably haven't either.)

Everything we brought with us fit in these black trunks.  It wasn't much, but God provided the rest of what we needed.  It's been an amazing journey.  A blessed three years.  Our lives are so rich, not with material possessions, but with the blessings of our Heavenly Father!

Beautiful Portugal

A Joyful Time

Last week my husband had the privilege of baptizing a young Portuguese man named Pedro.  It was a joyous occasion and a happy reminder why we are here.    We borrowed another church building to have the service, as our church doesn't have a baptistry.  Also present were members from all the 5 congregations that make up the church.

Here are a few pictures. (okay...maybe more than a few...but since I'm paying to have more picture space, I'm going to take full advantage of it!)

I hope you enjoy them.

Justice was real proud of his little plastic toy.

Justice and his little friends, Sarah.  Sarah and her family had just returned from a two month trip to Brazil, so Justice was thrilled to see her.

My Romanian friend Graci, and her grandmother.

Brooklyn and I - Justice took this one.

My girls singing.

While Justice shared his plastic toy.

The baptism

I was told the water was freezing and the clutching of Pedro's hand is proof he was startled by the coolness.

Praying over the missions offering.

Pedro receiving his certificate of baptism.

Praying for Pedro.

All of us that minister together singing "Great is thy Faithfulness".

Trying to organize a group shot.

As good as it's going to get.

Fellowship after wards.

Michael and I with Nelba, Pedro, Ana Lucia and Antonio.

Oh No!

You've got to be kidding me.....Blogger is telling me that I can't upload any more pictures.



My husband tells me I don't really have a blog anyway...more like a photo album and that I should actually say something from time to time. 

Fringegirl commented on my last post about my boring blog......

"Ha! You going to group therapy?

It wouldn't be boring if you would write something every once in a while. ;-)

Have a happy weekend!
-FringeGirl"

But those are easy words coming from literary geniuses.

 
Off to see what's up with Blogger.  They've got to give me a break.  Maybe there is a clause that will allow more photo space to those of us who don't know if 'realize' is spelled with an 's' or a 'z'. 

Because, if not....we're all in trouble.