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......"

It's Strange Really.....

I'm nearing 40 and I'm falling apart....body doesn't work right anymore.  Areas are hard to move, or crack when they finally do...I don't move as quickly as I used to.  I can't see, but hate to wear my glasses.  Headaches come quickly when you're stubborn like that.

I find myself confused at times.  Wondering why I feel like I do....19, 20, 21 year olds aren't supposed to feel that way, right?

Please, those of you a little older than I am...or possibly even younger....please tell me when I will finally accept that I'm getting old?

I still see myself (in my head, certainly not in the mirror) as a young bleached blond in love with a West Point Cadet dreaming of our wonderful life together.  Wondering what exotic place the Army will carry us after his graduation......

Somewhere along the line kids started popping up in my house....weird.....I fell in love with them too.....and I did end up in an exotic place, only it wasn't the Army that sent me there.

So.....in my confused state, this is what I know....(not much!)

I know:

I'm 20 in my head
40 in my body
hate glasses
live with headaches
in love with a handsome cadet
live in an exotic place
in love with 5 rug-rats
but still wondering where they came from
not enough time has passed to have 5 kids
I'm in denial that I'm getting older
I love my life as a missionary wife
God is Good!


Thankfully and Confused-fully yours,

Sickness be Gone!

My dear bloggy friends, I have been so sick.


It's been over two weeks & three trips to the doctor.


My instructions for now are to REST, stay indoors, eat and drink.


My precious husband has cooked, cleaned, ironed, taxied kids & shopped.  All the while, keeping up with his duties pastoring two churches, and evangelizing this needy city.  


I don't have much to say other than to ask for your prayers....I'll leave you with a few random shots taken over the last month......

We made a big tent in the living room where the kids 'camped out' one evening.

I don't remember tents being so hard to make!!

Justice loved it!

Faith's job was to hand out clothes pins....not without some silliness though.

Michael and I had the privilege of attending a banquet by the Gideons. 

These next few pictures are evidence my kids stole my camera.....

Hope you are all doing well.......

I'm praying for Springs soon arrival.....

Kitchen Cuddles

I've often heard that the kitchen is the heart of the home and I agree.  I love having a large kitchen with plenty of room for everyone to have their hand in the preparing of dinner.  Don't get me wrong, family meal preparation doesn't happen every night and it certainly doesn't happen without a good many 'issues'.  But when it does, we have a great time!

In my kitchen my most commonly used items have names.  For example, my drawer contains many pairing knives but my two favorites are Slice and Dice.  They're twins.  One was a gift from my husband and I loved it so much I bought myself another.  It's nice having more than one 'good' knife so that more than one person can be, well...Sliceing and Diceing at the same time.  When I need a knife and ask for someone to bring me one, I could receive any one of the knives in our kitchen....but when I ask for Slice or Dice...they know what I'm talking about.  Makes for a much smoother Mother/Daughter tandam.

Our kitchen and dinning room is combined and allows for plenty of room to lounge, read, play board games, use the computer...enjoy each others company.  And when all is done around the aromas of a cooking dinner it makes these long, cold and rainy winters days much more enjoyable.

Time is Winding Down - Help!

Time is flying by.....seems like just yesterday that the school year was beginning and we were struggling with Justice going to Kindergarten without understanding very much of anything and speaking even less.

Now, with only three months left of school, he's not only surviving in our precious little Portuguese Kindergarten in our village, but he is thriving!  He speaks fairly well, has many friends and is sort of the cult hero of the small school being the only foreigner with a goofy Mom and really cute older sisters.

Next week, the school will be closed for three days for Carnaval. (Mardi Gras)  Then at Easter they get another two weeks off.  School is out for summer the middle of June but we will leave for furlough at the end of the first week of June.

When I start to consider that time is winding down...school is almost out and we will be leaving VERY soon....I get overwhelmed.

This will be the first time that our family has returned Stateside in 3.5 years.  It will be a shock for most of us, especially the younger kids that don't remember much of our time there.

I need advice.

Any of you veteran missionaries reading this.....any information that you can share with me will be greatly appreciated.

I'm looking forward to spending some time with friends and family, but there will be extensive traveling done to raise some much needed funds.  We have a lot to accomplish is a very short time.

Advice...Anyone?

'Janeiras' - Singing in the New Year

The Janeiras is a Portuguese tradition consists of a group of people strolling the streets of a town singing in the New Year. To the modern eye, Janeiras is like Christmas caroling as this tradition involves a group of friends or neighbors going from house to house singing and sometimes playing instruments.
Traditionally, people go out to the streets to sing Janeiras between December 25 and January 6. While singing, they review the most important events of the year with a spirit of happiness and great humor. 

And that is just what we did.....we had a great time!

The elementary school here in our village where my 4 youngest attend went through the streets yesterday singing and petitioning donations for the school.  I went along too...to help control confusion and keep pre-k kids from running out in front of cars.

December in a Nutshell - Part 1

So.......The month of December was a whirlwind of activity.  I loved every minute of it and recorded most activities with my camera.

Now that the new year has rolled in and things will be going back to their comfortable routine starting tomorrow, I thought this was as good a time as any to try to catch up on my blog and let you guys know what we've been up to.

Thanksgiving dinner was such a blessed event.  It was relaxing, spent with precious friends and co-workers.  Filled with thankfulness and good food. 

Kids Table

Ms. Dawne's Apple Pies

Blessed Friends

A few days after Thanksgiving, I received tragic news that my paternal grandfather had passed away.  My dad arranged a quick flight for me to return to Missouri and attend his funeral.  It was a blessing to see family I'd not seen in 10 years, even though it was under such sad circumstances.  

My Dad (far right) with his sisters and Mom.

Dad, Me & Grandma

Back in Portugal 7 days later brought very cold weather, but kids happy to see their Mom!

Justice 4 and Me

Me, Lib 8 and Trinity 6 (Yes...we wear coats, gloves and hats inside!)

J-Dude and Trin

New hair cut

Surprising my Aunt with a quick visit while I was Stateside

My Uncle Bill cooked me supper!

And it was delicious!

My cousin Steve and me

My cousin Danielle and me

Christmas Program at church

Michael preaching after program

Surprise Christmas packages from the States

happy kids

Decorating Christmas cookies

Blogger is driving me crazy......Part 2 of this post will follow very soon.

Happy New Year my Bloggy Friends!