Churrasco (Shur-ha-scoo) - BBQ Brazilian Style

During a lunch conversation I had recently with a precious Brazilian friend of mine, she told me that she thought I'd do very well in Brazil. She said that I had the 'lingo' down.  I loved Brazilian food.  I was goofy and I liked to laugh. 

Then I told her that I thought she'd do very well in America too.  She so sweetly tells me, almost daily, "Nina, I LOVE YOU!" (In English...just about the only English she knows!)  She despises apples dipped in peanut butter, but loves peanut butter balls.  She loves to have cook-outs (or "Churrasco" in Portuguese) and she's the most giving person I know.----To my surprise she told me that she found Americans a bit 'cold' and 'stand-offish'.  After she spent time in 4 major American cities....Houston, Denver, Miami and one other that I can't remember...she said that she didn't really enjoy her time in America.

Churrasco at our home a few weeks ago

Her neighbors weren't very friendly in America.  ---This made me pause to think......

What would I have done had a Brazilian family moved into my neighborhood when I lived in the States?  Would I have been stand-offish, judgemental, mean?  Would I have allowed my kids to play with theirs?

I want to say a loud YES to all these questions....but I'm not so sure I can.

I'm ashamed to admit that.....especially now.  Knowing what I now know and being where I am has changed me for the better.  My adorable, goofy, precious, giving, thoughtful Brazilian friends have made such an impact on my life.....and the lives of my children.

Now, we are the foreigners.  I know how it hurts to be treated badly, or even worse...ignored.
Americans are proud.  Sometimes this is good, I believe.  But mostly it's bad.  Lord, help us.

Mom, is it my birthday yet?

Being programmed to stand and smile when he heard his name, Justice still struggled to obey.  "Mom, they always laugh at me" was his response when given the 'evil eye' from Mom.

His sisters, each in their own varying degrees of pre-teen drama, stood and smiled.  One, quickly and meekly.  One with the flip of her hair and a cock of her hip.  One that actually curtsied.  The last, waving with her presidential smile.

Each week, another church...usually 3 different ones.  He was tired of everyone looking, poking, hugging, and laughing at him.  Why was it always funny when he stood up?

His Daddy, as always, introduced our family.  Starting with his wife, then the oldest child to the youngest.  By the time the congregation had seen the display from each of his sisters, and Daddy made a 'short joke'..."Son, are you standing?!  I can't tell!!" ...Justice was mortified.

Giggles erupted, his face reddened.

Mom, pushing on his backside..."Son....stand up!"

After a lightening speed 'stand up-sit down', his Daddy would say "Justice is 4...almost 5.  His birthday will be on the airplane."

How could folks not giggle at him....he's so darn cute.

But he doesn't understand that.  All that mattered to him was his birthday.

We threw together a quick party for him on the last Saturday we were Stateside.  Surrounded by my family to watch the season opener, we sang, ate a big cookie with an Alabama "A" on it, and he opened gifts and cards containing green paper.  -  "That's done."  I thought.  "Mark that off my Mommy to-do list".

 

But to Justice....it's wasn't done.

The next few days were filled with much stress.  Packing, repacking, unpacking, packing again.  What goes back to Portugal?  What stays.  Do we have room?  How much does this weigh?  What is most important right now?  Pictures of my childood, or pictures when all the girls were babies?  Both can't go.....

Justice played, watched American cartoons and enjoyed the last minute attention from grandparents.  All the while counting down in his head....thinking....."on the plane will be my birthday!"

We arrived at the airport in a whirlwind of last minute plans coming together.

Is Bro. Calvin here?  He's supposed to take our van.

Where is Pawpaw supposed to meet us?  We can't go through security yet, he's not here.

Gramps and Toni made it.  Gramps is never late.  (Like his oldest son)

Do any of our trunks weigh more than 50 pounds? "Lord, please no....I want everything that's in them!"

Deep breath....

Oh look, Bro. David came to say bye...but we're already in the security line.  Run, leave bags, quick hug.

Inconsiderate people.  Only concerned about themselves. Not offering to help a family of 7 with stuffed carry-ons, and help 5 kids remove their laced up, double knotted tennis shoes.  They pass us by in a huff....

"Patience, Nina......we don't have to do this for another 3-4 years."

Security alarm goes crazy....I look up...Lib is standing, eyes wide....."What did I do?"  She, my 'collector of little things' has an old, worn out cell phone in her pocket....Daddy takes it out roughly, tossing it into a tote going down the belt...frustrated....Lib gets a tounge lashing.

Justice still thinking...."It's about to be my birthday!"

We get on the first of three planes.

"Where is everyone sitting?  Who's scared?  Who's more scared and needs Mom or Dad next to them?  She got a window seat last time!  That HAS to go under the seat in front of you, for the 6th time! My stomach feels queasy and nervous.  Did you even eat breakfast?  I left my picture at Mimi's!  I'm SO ready to be home...."

These are random phrases floating through the air of the 4 rows our family takes up.....

We take off and I try to leave my stress and anxiety on the runway as we ascend.

The seat belt light goes off.....Justice looks at me....."Mom, is it my birthday now?"
"Not yet" I tell him.  "On the next plane, the really big plane that takes us over the Atlantic ocean.  On that plane you will turn 5!"  I try to sound excited for him.  My head pounding.

5 Hours later........

On the big plane, he sits in the row behind me.  With his biggest sister, surely she can handle him and let Mom and Dad sit together.  The flight attendant arrives, "Um, excuse me mam (In terrible English) "you have to stop your son from pushing the call button.  He keeps calling the flight attendants."

Deep sigh...defeated......"Come up here son...sit with me."

He's seated, buckled, playing his new video game.  I start dozing off.....

"Mom.....Mom....(poking me)...Is it my birthday now!?!"

I look at my watch, foggy headed trying to think what timezone we were in...."Yes, son.  In Portugal, it's your birthday."

Anticipation in his eyes, he starts looking around.  Almost in a panic.

Then it dawns on me...

He was expecting a PARTY on the airplane.



Exhausted I explain that's not what I meant and not what his Daddy meant everytime he heard his Daddy tell churches that he was going to turn 5 on the airplane.

Brows furrowed, he frowns.

"You are NOT the nice Mommy right now." he says.....

At that point, I didn't care.

I giggled, kissed his head and went to sleep.

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"A Very Happy 5th Birthday, to my One and Only Son!"

I Love You Justice!

They're Yours Lord

I have a ratty notebook beside my computer full of post ideas.  While washing dishes, I'll think, "Oooo, that's a good thing to blog about!"  I'll run, suds-covered hands to my computer and scribble down something illegible, something that I just know you guys would love.

Then, two days later when I have 2.3 seconds to sit and write, the topics in my notebook (if I can read them) seem dumb..... shallow.......

This morning my heart is heavy.

Those corny ideas will have to wait for another day.

My thoughts are on my children.

Today officially begins the school year.  Three girls are already out the door while the remaining two are still in bed, awaiting Mama's call to 'rise and shine'. (Man, I could go for a Hardees biscuit right about now..)

Those oldest three.....that are gone, not to return today until after 5:30.....that will spend an entire day away from Mom and Dad.....that will make their own decisions without council from us.....those three, precious souls that God adores....those same three are on my heart.

"Lord, they're yours.  You blessed us with them....blessings they certainly are.  But from the moment we knew for certain they were on their way, we prayed, giving them back to you.  We're not capable, us alone  in ourselves, of raising them.  I can't be with them always, as You can.  Speak to their nervous hearts this morning, encourage them to do what's right, what's honorable.  Help them to shine today....a light in this dark land.  Bless them I pray......"

4th of July

Our first time in 4 years to celebrate America's day of Independence on American soil.

We spent the day at our home church with a BBQ and games. It was a beautiful day.




Fireworks in Knoxville later that night:



























We have been resting the last week. A much needed time to sleep in, fellowship with our pastor and his family, and of course, eating Krispy Kreme donuts way too frequently.

Our three oldest girls will be going to camp next week, so Daddy and I will just have Justice and Trinity with us for the week. It will be fun!

Still missing precious friends in Portugal, but soon our time will end here, and before we know it we will be on a plane back across the Atlantic.

Prayers from Knoxville,

Nina

Feira de Barcelos - (Barcelos Market)

Today, Michael and I spent a little time at the market.  It's not often that we go without visitors.  Usually it's one of the highlighted attractions that we carry our out of town guests to see.  It's always very crowded and full of confusion. 

Today though, as Michael and I sat near the fountain in the center of the market, I looked around, and with some Portuguese pride in my heart, I was thankful to be here.  I was remembering my first trip to the market, nearly 4 years ago.  Not understanding a word the venders spoke to me.  Using hand gestures to communicate whether a basket I was considering buying was for trash or for dirty clothes....(try that one!) 

~~~But, today....It felt like home and not that foreign world it was 4 years ago.

Here is a sample video I found online....It looks like this day it was pretty calm, must have been lunch time! ;)

This market has been around since the 1400's.  Every Thursday, rain or shine.

Furlough Frenzy

Time is winding down, and preparations are in their final stages.....less than two weeks before we leave for furlough.  Lists have been made and many things already crossed off......

• Get furlough vehicle to Birmingham.
• Find a sitter for all my gorgeous Orchids.
• Organize the dungeon. (our junk room)
• Decide what luggage to use and how many pieces will be needed.
• How many vehicles will be needed to take us + our luggage to the airport?
• Find a Dog sitter, cat sitter and turtle sitter.
• Buy 60 kilos of dog food for Major. 
• Leave fridge running, or shut it down?
• Make checklist for house watcher & dog/cat sitter.
• Install electric fence to keep dog from wandering.
• Decide what songs the kids will sing and in which language. (I stress THE KIDS, not me.)

This is only a sample of my to do list.  My schedule is in high gear lately, and the work in the ministry is showing no signs of slowing down.  (Praise HIS name!)


Trinity helping instal the electric fence.

Justice trying to be sweet.

He asks me daily, "Mom, are we going to Amewica today?"

Last weekend we had a Convívio das Casais. (Couples meeting)

It was a precious time of fellowship, prayer and of course, Eating!

Some of the dishes.  Michael made the dish on the left.  It's called Baclhau à Brás. (Cod fish and Potatoes)

Salad is amazing in Portugal, once you get used to olive oil and vinegar.....Now, I'll have it no other way!!

I'll certainly miss the fresh, daily bread!

Singing praises!

Ms. Dawne stayed upstairs with the kids to give us parents an evening with other adults.

I'm going to miss these people.

So...since I'm thrilled to be visiting my homeland, but torn about not seeing my friends and church family here.....does that mean I'm officially insane, or officially a missionary? 

I think the two go hand in hand.

Happy Birthday Brooklyn!

Our oldest daughter Brooklyn turned 12 last week.  Feels like yesterday I was going to the hospital in the wee hours of the morning to be induced.  She was a week late and I couldn't take another day of pregnancy.  Contrary to popular belief, I don't enjoy being pregnant.  Although all my pregnancies were healthy ones without any complications and my Doctor told me I was a 'baby making machine', I did not like the discomfort of being huge, hot and irritated.  (Looking back now, I think the irritation came from not being able to drink caffeinated beverages.....Coffee solves a world of problems!)

I remember hopping around the house, be-bopping up the steps to our little townhouse just a few days after giving birth, my family amazed at my 'quick' recovery.  I told them that I felt better the day after Brooklyn was born than any day of my 9 month + 1 week pregnancy.  And every baby afterwards was the same situation.....recovering from child birth was so much easier than walking around pregnant for 9 months.

So, today I'm celebrating 12 years with that little, dark headed, jaundiced bundle of joy!  She's been a delight to help raise and I feel priviledged that God would choose me as her mother.

She celebrated her birthday this past weekend with 2 of her closest friends. The pijama party was a lot of fun and different for the two girls invited.  PJ parties aren't very popular here....but they had a great time.

So, here goes my top 12 reasons I love Brooklyn:

1. She helps me the most with improving my language skills.  (That's after I've embarrassed her by butchering a language she speaks so beautifully!)
2. She's an excellent student that cares about her grades and her performance in school. (Opposite of me!)
3. Although she's not the best at keeping her room tidy, she has amazing organizational skills.
4. She's the typical bossy oldest sibling, but does well when needed to care for the younger ones in our absence.
5. She recognizes when I'm down, when I need a hug, when I need someone to volunteer to wash dishes, when I need time alone....she's sensitive and aware of others around her.
6. She makes a mean fiesta chicken.
7. She says, "Thanks Mom" a lot.
8. She taught me how to listen.
9. She taught me how to put someone else's needs before my own. 
10. She still holds my hand when we walk around in public. 
11. She has the love of Jesus in her heart.
12. And last but not least....you all know what's coming......She's MINE!  Thank you Lord!

"Happy Birthday Brooklyn Malena! I Love You!"
Love, Mom

Shame on Me......

....for allowing a month to go by without posting!

First of all, thank you for your prayers while I was sick.  It took a month, but I am finally back to normal and loving this beautiful spring/summer weather we've been having lately.

The kids just went back to school yesterday after a 2 week + 1 day Spring Break.  (The one day was because there was a holiday on Monday so their break was extend one more day.)  We didn't do anything special, just enjoyed one anothers company and played outside in the sun.....

Here are a few pictures from our Spring Break.....

We cooked out with friends

We ate yummy foods

We played in the mud

We tried new recipes

And everyone of them was a HIT!

We rolled hair

Read the bible

And made resurrection cookies

It was a wonderful 2 weeks!

Now the rush is on......to get everything scheduled, arranged, packed, cleaned and organized for our 12 week furlough this summer.  Time is winding down and there is still much left to do in preparation.

We are certainly looking forward to seeing friends and family, but the short 12 weeks means we will be busy as bees as we try to raise more support while visiting some supporting churches along the way.

Sorry I've been gone so long....hoping all is well with you, my bloggy friends....

Prayers from Portugal,