Couples Meeting

Saturday evening the couples from our Barcelos congregation were invited to share a meal with the couples from the Póvoa congregation.  The idea was to strengthen our marriages and the relationship we have between the two churches.  We had an amazing time!

We laughed:

We ate:

We laughed some more:

And of course....we ate some more:

I saw many couples holding hands as they listened to the message:

It was a blessing for this ol' missionary couple to witness.

"Thank you Lord!"

Precious Souls

.....I was having a particularly bad day...one where nothing seemed to go right. Where my husband seemed to do everything wrong and my kids were forgetting how to do the basic things I taught them years ago, like matching clothes, brushing their teeth and putting their cereal bowl in the sink.

Then the buzzer rang from the font gate. It was the beloved delivery truck for the post office but it wasn't a box full of goodies like we usually get from time to time, it was a roll of something I could see in my husbands hands from across the den. I continued on with my normal morning routine that seemed to be getting the best of me....when he called out after me, "I hope this puts you in a better mood!"

"It's for me?" I asked.

I took the roll and saw the return label....My first though was that I hadn't ordered anything....maybe someone had sent me a gift!? Nawhhh...couldn't be.

After spending entirely too much time opening the roll, careful not to smudge, or tear or wrinkle any of the contents, I unrolled the most adorable "Portuguese Galo"!



It wasn't just beautifully drawn, but drawn entirely in MY name!! How could anything be so beautiful when it was drawn out of my name, when I had been so ugly all morning to my family. I was instantly humbled, and a tear filled my eye as I read closely and saw underneath the rooster the words, "To a dear blogger friend".



I was in disbelief.

God is so very good to have put such sweet, precious people in my life that I've never personally met. Yet these same people have ministered to my soul, time and time again.



Thank you Maria, I love it!



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Click here to see other beautiful drawings by Maria and to place your order for Christmas! You won't be disappointed!

Help A Girl Out.....Would You?

Hi Everyone!

I'm running late this morning getting everything together for a 4th of July cook-out with friends, so this has to be short.... plus it's been one of those days and I've only been out of bed for 30 minutes.....

I forgot to put my 8 pound pork roast in the crock post last night so we'd have wonderful tender pulled park BBQ sandwiches today....uh-oh....now we might be eating PB&J.

But.....Dani Joy has sent me some good news!

I'm a finalist in her caption contest!! Woo Hoo!!

So if you'd be a dear and slip on over there and vote for me, you'd really make my day! The poll is on her side bar and it would only take a minute.

Okay...I'm off to tackle kitten poop, raw pork roasts and ornery kids.....or maybe it's me that's ornery....

Madrid ~ Day 1 Photo Journey

Praise the Lord for a safe, tranquil flight!


Dani Joy, Ashley, Pilar and myself. Brief meeting at the airport. Pilar was going to come with us on our trip to Madrid, but decided to make a quick trip to The States instead. Our planes crossed paths in the Madrid airport, so I was able to meet her in person!

Told you where you'd find us gals!!

Self photos...got to love em.

Wow!! BBQ sauce! If I had any more room in my luggage I would have bought all 3 flavors!

What's this guy's problem?

Don't ask me what this was called....I called it good!

This lady sprayed herself with something nasty and sat like a statue in the sun wanting people to put money in her pot. Yeah, right.

When I think of Spain, this is what I think of.

And this lady?!? Okay...whatever....


Have a great week everyone....more pictures to come.


Nina

Longings & Lazy Lounging

A few things I miss about America. Specifically...the south.


1) grits

2) skin-so-soft used as a bug repellent

3) Huge, ginormous watermelons

4) tanning beds & pedicures

5) Mexican, Japanese and Mediterranean restaurants

6) pepperoni

7) Diet. Dr. pepper

8) consignment shops & thrift stores

9) my friends and family

10) choirs singing

11) ladies retreats........ohhh....but get this.....

Next Tuesday morning I'll board a budget airline flight to Madrid, Spain where I'll spent three days and two restful nights with my friend and fellow missionary wife, Dani Joy.



Sounds fancy, doesn't it?

Well, my plane ticket costs less than $20. I can't check any luggage. I'm almost certain that I'll not get any peanuts or soft drinks. I'll probably have to sit in some one's lap. I just hope they can afford to put enough fuel in the plane. (I mean seriously...how can an airline survive charging such ridiculously low fares?!) With toll roads and $8 a gallon gas....it's silly to not fly.

I'm not complaining, mind you...it's just a thought. For a consignment shop-thrift store shopping gal....this is my type of airline! Forget the thrills, just give me cheap!

My 1 cabin bag can weigh up to 22 pounds and must contain my purse, laptop and anything that I'll be taking. Oh, and it can only be so big...like the size of a back pack.



It's a good thing that I'm not high maintenance.

Must haves for my trip:

1)camera
2)laptop
3)toothbrush
4)clean undies
5)wi-fi capable hotel room

Just give me technology, and I'm good to go. That's not high maintenance, is it?




Enjoy these beautiful pictures of Madrid, and pretend that I took them. Pretend I did all the sight seeing there is to do in such a grand city.

Because in reality, you'll find my friend and I sitting in a Starbucks sipping frapuccinos & giggling. Or maybe even in the hotel room at 2:00 pm eating breakfast in our pj's. (I'll spare you those pictures)

When I say restful.... that's exactly what I mean.

But you know me, I'll probably manage to get a few pictures in... ;)



So don't go judging me. This trip is costing less than your average trip to Wal-Mart. Cheap travel between European countries is one of the perks of living over here.

But remember....I don't have Krispy Kreme.

(I'd trade you any day)

Good Bye To Good Friends

Wednesday we hosted a BBQ with our friends and co-laborers to say goodbye to Leandro and Priscilla. They will be returning to Brazil the first of June. We wish them well and pray that God would give them clear direction for their future. It's been a blessing getting to know them.

Here are some pictures....as usual...



Leandro and Priscilla


Enjoying the beautiful day.


BBQ Brazilian Style





The good life!


Bingo in the grass.


Tigra found a cool place to rest. She's going to have kittens soon.


Looking at fruit trees.


Make a note....It is possible for a man to wash dishes! I have proof! And notice the homemade ice cream!!

The preachers.


The preachers and their families.





Trin with her goofy grin.


My Love

Have a great weekend everyone!