Happy New Year 2007

I wanted you write all of you to wish you a very Happy New Year 2007.  I feel it will be a great year!  A friend sent me a slide show and one of the quotes was "We seldom think of what we have, but always think of what we miss!"  I think this quote has too much defined my last six months.  I will try to change my way of thinking this next year and do better.  When in another country you do MISS people and things and conveniences.  The things that come to mind besides my family and friends are fast food, ESPN, & A REALLY GOOD JUICY HAMBURGER!!!!

 

We have enjoyed Meredith's visit enormously.  She has rested and gone along with all our escapades.  We haven't ventured out of the city which she said was ok with her.  We have stuck close to home.  She has tried a few foods here but hasn't been real adventurous in the food category.  Please continue to remember her John in your thoughts and prayers.  Ben sounds good.  He has a new apartment, new roommate, new car, and a new job as manager of his store.  We are very proud of him.  I will see him January 21 for a couple days that I hope will include a trip to Disneyland. 

 

They have been practicing fireworks for New Year's here and my heart has stopped a couple times.  Meredith even jumped last night.  They even shoot them off during the day and I don't understand why.  You can't enjoy the beauty of them in the daylight.  All the stores are starting to close and the city is slowly getting deserted.  Everyone goes to the beach for New Year's.  John loves our parking garage during this time of year because with everyone gone it is easier to park.

 

Tonight we are going to the wedding of Hilary Atkisson.  She is the daughter of Lynn and David Atkisson, Presbyterian Missionaries that we met here.  She is marrying Cae, a very handsome and kind Brazilian young man. We will be going to Mary & Joe Cavese's apartment tomorrow for a New Year's Eve Party.  It should be amazing from there as they live on the 19th floor.  I hope to take good pictures with our camera.  John found it had a fireworks button.  We are making American food so this will really make it good.  John has promised to take a nap so he can stay up and enjoy it all.

 

I'll be at Mom's from January 8 to 20 if you should be close.  I can't promise the planes will be on time because they never are but I'll be there close to those dates.  Happy New Year to all and may God richly bless year 2007. 

Merry Christmas 2006

We are celebrating Christmas with Chicken ala King and rice.  Surely not a traditional Christmas meal.  It is so hot that it takes the Christmas cheer away.  We sure miss our family and friends especially John, Ben and my Mom.

Meredith's first rug

Meredith has enjoyed meeting my friends at the rug store.  She has finished two rugs.  One of parrots and one for Christmas.  These will always remind her of her time here with us.  Now she is making me a rug. 

December 2006

In the mornings here in a city in Brazil there are so many sounds that resonate.  First the buses start delivering people to their jobs and buses start picking the morning school kids up for school.  (School here is two shifts 7-12 and 1-6.)  They come up the hill behind us and there are many of them.  Then there are the birds.  The birds of Brazil are much like roosters on a farm but they make much more racket.  One of them must live permanently outside our bedroom because I've heard him for 1 1/2 years.  This morning 6:20.  And then we come to the car alarms.  It is 7:00 in the morning.  Your unlock your car every day many times.  It seems you would know how to do it WITHOUT having the alarm go off every time.  And then there are the car horns.  Do people here not realize IT WAKES PEOPLE UP WHEN THEY HONK!!!!  Of course, John hears nothing.  This is probably one of very few positives of having a hearing problem.

 

Meredith is here and she has fit right in to my schedule.  She is almost finished with her second rug.  She is enjoying the warm, sunny weather over the cold, foggy, rainy season in England.  It will be hard to see her go on January 7.  (We go to the airport together)  John Basel should be home the end of January so she won't be there long by herself.  Their cat Phoenix is surviving with another couple while she is here.  The only thing that would make it just perfect would be to have Ben and Mom here along with John Basel.

 

We had Thanksgiving at The Rodger's with two other missionary families and it was just wonderful.  Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, jell-o salad, broccoli salad, homemade rolls, and lots of desserts.  It was a great day.  Then, we had a Christmas Party for John's employees at work.  It was at one of our favorite restaurants.  We had such a good time.  I now understand why John loves these people so much.  They love him and treat him with such kindness and respect. 

 

If you are a Brazilian you are required to vote.  If you do not vote you have to have a GOOD reason why you did not vote. (I didn't want to is not sufficient.)  The consequences of not voting are harsh.  You could have trouble getting a bank account, a visa, even a passport.  There are other tough consequences.  Maybe this is the answer for poor voting turn out in US. 

 

I will be in U.S. from January 8 through 24.  I will see Mom first in Chattanooga, then go to Miami to deal with my Visa and then to California to see Ben for a few days. 

 

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We miss you all very much. Love, Kathy, John, & Meredith

Meredith has arrived

Meredith has arrived and it is so nice to have someone to do things with. So far we have shopped, eaten with friends and swam.  She is excited to be in the sunshine instead of in the dark winter of England.

Nativity Scene's from South America

I am collecting quite a wonderful collection of Nativity scenes from South America.  They are all so cultural.  The Brazilian Nativity has cactus plants, the Argentina Nativity has Llama's and the one from Columbia is carved from the native wood.

John's trip to Bariloche, Argentina - November 2006

John recently went on a plant visit and stayed in Bariloche, Argentina. This city is called the Aspen of South America.  I fell in love with these two pictures.

Margaret's view of Rio

Wendy & Gary's daughter Margaret went hang gliding over Rio!

This is a picture she took.  Absolutely stunning.

Brazilian IDOL Chaos

We walked to see the HUGE crowd at Brazilian Idol.

Yesterday was registration and today are the auditions.

I talked with one of the promoters and he said it was year #2 and things were really going well.  It was chaos.

My rugs

My new hobby, rug making, brings me such joy.  Here are some I have made.  I am working on two new ones and will post them when finished.

November 11, 2006

We are having the most glorious weather.  A cold front moved in and it has dipped down in the low 50's.  All of you know how I love this!  I was not ready to go through the heat yet.

The sun is out but the wind makes it wonderfully comfortable. 

 

Mary and Joe tried something last weekend that the Fore Family tried to get us to try - a Brazilian hot dog.  We just haven't taken the plunge yet.  It was the Fore's favorite thing.

First of all the hot dogs are CLEMSON orange.  I haven't been able to buy them in the stores for that reason.  A Brazilian hotdog is a hotdog in a bun topped with mayonnaise, a huge helping of mashed potatoes, corn, salsa & shoestring potatoes.  I know many of you immediately see why John hasn't tried it but I am usually more adventuresome.  I think it is the orange color.  Mary and Joe split it because it was so big and it was just enough.

I'll let you know if I ever try one.

 

Today we went for our usual Saturday walk and there were many more people than usual on the streets.  We were unable to get past the Tennis Club walking and finally we realized why:

South American Idol was doing Auditions at the Tennis Club.  What a mess.  I would have loved to watch it all.  I guess it will be in the newspaper.

 

John will spend next week in Argentina on a plant tour.  He is excited.  A co-worker from the Wichita Falls Plant is coming down to go with him.  The dollar is much better in Argentina than here so I gave John permission to find me something for Christmas.  We have been looking for a nativity scene but haven't found the perfect one yet. 

 

Christmas is picking up around here.  The stores and malls are decorated.  I think the cold weather has made it more fun for me.  I got out my tree.  I hope to decorate it this week. 

It will get me into the spirit I hope.  It is very hard celebrating such a wonderful day without your whole family.

 

I bought my first Brazilian shoes and they are very comfortable.  I was really surprised when I tried them on.  I feel like I am on stilts because they are platform shoes.  I know many of you can't imagine me in platform shoes.  This should make you smile. 

 

We would appreciate your prayers from some friends that we met here.  Wietze and Jeannie Devries have moved back to the states.  They were here for around two years I think.  Wietze is undergoing treatment for cancer in California.  Please pray for the treatment and also for their son Robert who is away from them in Georgia.  Also, please pray for John Basel's (Meredith's husband) safety and for our son, Ben, for some big decisions he needs to make.

Friends, October 2006

While in Chattanooga Mom, Meredith and I got to have lunch with Mary Beasley and my very good friend from high school Kathy Palmer.  What a treat.

October, 2006

If you had told me two years ago that I would need to add pages to my passport I would have laughed out loud.  I am so amazed that I need to do so.  My first passport ever was just three years ago when Meredith and I went on a mission trip to Jamaica with Grace Church in Wichita Falls.  Now we are both seasoned travelers.

 

I so enjoyed my trip to the States.  It brought me great joy to see friends and family and eat at my favorite restaurants.  I did not get to see as many as I wanted in WF because of my many doctor appointments.  I won't neglect my blood sugar again.  We were delayed leaving in Brazil and did not get to go to church which was hard for both of us but we did get to go to K-Group Meeting Sunday Night at the Cedrones and that was wonderful.  We also got to eat dinner with many good friends at night. John also enjoyed seeing everyone at the plant. I got to see the new location for The Last Straw (where I worked in Wichita Falls) and watch while they decorated for Christmas.  So many beautiful ornaments and the new store is a real treat to behold.  I miss working there. 

 

Then John and I went to Mom's where we had such a good visit.  John puttered around Mom's house doing his little repair jobs and Mom and I watched The Food Channel and enjoyed visiting.  John and I were blessed to meet Shirley & Larry Reeves in Atlanta for lunch on our way to pick up Meredith at the airport.  She is in the States for two weddings.  I am glad she got to come and visit with and be encouraged by her friends.  It would have been perfect had Ben gotten to come.  I had to go to the doctor in Atlanta and Meredith and I were able to shop some while there with Gail Saylors. There is nothing better than Lenox Square for shopping!!!

 

I have promised myself I will NEVER fly from Chattanooga to Atlanta to Dallas to Miami to Sao Paulo.  I'm going to be a direct flight girl from now on.  It has taken me a lot longer to get back into the swing of things.  One of the blessings of waiting at the Dallas Airport though was that I ran into Nancy Steen and finally got to meet her son Sam.  What fun it was to pass the time with someone I knew.  I got back on Wednesday and John returned from China on Friday.  We really haven't moved from the apartment all weekend.  We were pooped.  The last thing John told me before leaving Chattanooga was to put EVERYTHING in ziplocs.  Oh how I wish I had listened.  One suitcase and contents were totally covered in powdered buttermilk and the other totally covered in Cascade dishwashing soap.  What a mess! Mike Rodgers is convinced he can clean them up.  We'll see!  Next time I will listen to John.

 

We returned to cool crisp football weather which has helped us to sleep well.  I spent Saturday listening to my three Big Orange Teams win their games:  Tennessee then Texas and then those awesome Clemson Tigers.

 

Love to all of you, Kathy

September, 2006

I did something on September 5, that I said I would never do here.  I wore a winter coat and gloves and had my hood on too.  It got down to below 40 and for Brazil that is a big deal.  Everyone was bundled up with me.  Even the dogs had their booties on.  Then on the September 14 it was 93 DEGREES!  No wonder everyone in this city is sick.

 

John Basel will be deploying sometime this week for the desert. Please pray for him and for the safety of his entire crew.  Please also pray for Meredith.  She is strong but this will be difficult for her.

 

It has been a lonely two weeks.  Nancy, Kyle and Mary are all three in the states.  I will pass all three in the sky as I am traveling to the states so I will miss them another three weeks.

I'm sure we will have a lot of catching up to do upon my return.

 

A Brazilian Etiquette Lesson:  If you are in line at a bank here in Brazil and a pregnant woman, a woman with children or an elderly person comes up, you have to let them in front of you.  This could be time consuming if you are there at a busy time because 5 or 6 people may get in front of you.

 

We went to the apartment-warming party given by Pierre and Marina (our Portuguese teachers).  It was such fun and we feel it is the perfect move for them at this time.  Their apartment is so well planned and comfortable.  It was hard to leave their house but it was a smart thing to do with all the recent robberies.  It is decorated perfectly.  A big group of American Students got together and bought them two rugs as a present.  (A picture is attached of Pierre and Marina in their new home.)

 

I was the only American that stayed today at the rug store after lunch.  Everyone had errands to run and things to do.  Without a car I don't have that problem.  It was Dona Maria's 76th birthday and they really had a wonderful spread of food.  I didn't eat the food but did have the cake.  I am still not into mystery food and this was Brazilian mystery food.  One of the owner's of the rug store read from The Scriptures and prayed.  I understood only a few words but the Spirit of The Lord was surely in that place.  It was precious.

 

One of the most precious couples will be movie next week, Helen & Ed Clifford.  I am so sad that I did not grasp the opportunity to get to know them earlier.  We wish them great joy in Michigan and on their new job.

 

We leave here on September 22 and arrive in Wichita Falls on September 23.  We will be staying at the Hampton Inn in Wichita Falls until September 29 and then I will be at Mom's until October 11.  Red Lobster here we come!!!!!!

Hollambra 2006

On September 7 John had a holiday and was blessed to spend it with 3 amazing women.  We went to Hollambra.  A Dutch settlement that celebrates every September with a Festival.  Beautiful flowers, lively dancing with wooden shoes (don't see how they do it!), shopping, & my favorite the drummers.  We all had such a good time.  Great way to spend a holiday!

Sidewalks of Cambui

The sidewalks of Cambui are designed by the owner's of the houses or businesses they are on.  These are just some of the beautiful designs.  Some are kept neatly and some are not.  This is why you never walk without always watching the sidewalks closely.  If you do not watch you end up flat on your back.  Trust me I've been there.

AUGUST 2006

 

John has survived yet another challenge.  He finished his two week immersion in Portuguese and feels it helped.  He understands better.  I wish I could say "poof" and he would be fluent but it just isn't that easy.

 

The Brazilian people are very patient and laid back people.  They take their time eating and visiting with friends.  They are friendly and kind and helpful.  BUT put them behind the wheel of a car and they become impatient, horn honking, speeding crazy people.  I am still shocked and amazed that John has survived it all.  Then you add in the motorcycles and you've got a whole other thing.  There are lines in the streets but they mean nothing.  PLUS all the cars here are not automatic.  Not easy going up a hill.  The most important thing to remember is to never tailgate the car in front of you on a hill.  John probably has one of the only automatic cars in the city.  Parallel parking here is an art form.  They do it swiftly and with ease.  I stand in amazement every time I watch.

 

I am working on rug # 7 and almost finished.  My snowman rug is finished and is my favorite so far.  I have decided that my new hobby brings me great joy.  I love the Brazilian women I am getting to know and it is a great place to meet with my American friends.  Plus, it is next door to Romana's and you all know how I love Romana's.  One of our waiter's, Sergio, is studying very hard to learn English and is doing very good.  He was really proud of his new Portuguese/English Bible.  The food is delicious but the atmosphere is the best especially early in the morning.

 

John and I went to the mall shopping and were noticing the prices of things.  Here in Brazil they allow you to charge things and pay for them in payments.  We were looking at Nike tennis shoes.  The are R$580,00 which is $270.00 American.  You can pay for your tennis shoes with 10 payments of R$58,00.  The credit card companies do this here for all the businesses.  This is the only way many Brazilians can afford things here that are so overpriced.  Blue jeans are another thing that are really overpriced.

 

Some new things:

*The orchid plant Jan and Mike Rodger's gave me last August has bloomed again.  I was shocked to walk out on the balcony and see it with 3 beautiful orchids on it.  Many of you know my thumb is black instead of green.

*There is a presidential election coming up here in Brazil.  If you are a resident of Brazil you are required to vote.  No exceptions.  Cars drive through the streets with loud speakers telling us who to vote for. 

*I was out on the balcony the other day and looked up and there was the Goodyear Blimp.  See the picture.  I could see the people in the cab. Our friends here, Todd, Kathy & Ryne Turner, recently got to ride in the Blimp in Sao Paulo.

*My friend Kyle and her husband Sam became Grandparents on August 19 to a beautiful little girl, Joie.  Their daughter Dena and her husband Wade are doing great.  I'm so glad Kyle was there to help.

*John and I watched Tiger win the U.S. Open Golf Tournament last weekend.  Golf takes on a new meaning when broadcasted in Portuguese.  In fact he is winning again this weekend but it isn't on tv.

 

My blog will have many new pictures this month because I've been taking my camera everywhere.  This is it.  http://journals.aol.com/jcw41/AnAmericanInBrazil/

There are also many archived letters so check them out also.

Also, Meredith and John have a blog and you can catch up on their travels there too.

http://www.manyroadstotravel.blogspot.com/   They have returned home.

 

John and I will be in Wichita Falls from September 22-29.  John will be at a meeting and I WILL GET TO SEE FRIENDS.   Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Then we will get to see Mom in Chattanooga and help her with some things around the house.  John is excited especially since he hasn't seen Mom since Meredith's wedding.  I was going to try to fly to see Ben but it looks like this will have to wait until January when I come home again.

July 2006

Any time of the day, when you are least expecting it, fireworks may explode and scare the living daylights out of you here in Brazil.  It may be a soccer game like Wednesday Night and the Sao Paulo Team won AT 11:30 AT NIGHT.  You are sound asleep and KABOOM.  It even woke John and NOTHING wakes John.  It takes a few minutes to calm your heart.  It also might be because the people here had all these fireworks to blast off WHEN Brazil won the World Cup.  Since Brazil did not win they shoot them off at random times.  KABOOM.  It also might be a newlywed couple leaving their wedding reception at 5:30 AM.  KABOOM!!!  Whenever they do this I have this great desire to lean out the window and scream at someone.  I guess I can do it anyway.  They wouldn't understand a word I said.

 

Soap Opera's here are called Novella's.  They only last six months.  Then they start a new one with a different theme.  I even think they use the same actors. Kyle's favorite was a story about Vampires.  She said it was hilarious.  She still laughs when she talks about it and it was a couple years ago.  I still do not understand what they are saying but the costumes are hilariously funny to look at.  I have attached a picture of Kyle with her cat, kissyfur!

 

We have made good friends with a Brazilian young lady named Priscilla.  She does rugs with us and speaks very good English.  She understands us if we speak very slowly.  She said all Brazilians want their children to have blue eyes.  She always comments on people who have blue eyes.  Brazilian's eyes are very dark and beautiful.  We don't understand why they love blue eyes so much.

 

They re-asphalted many streets in our area including our street.  Fortunately this got rid of the hole that could swallow a small car.  We are so grateful.

 

Meredith and John are in Alabama for a month.  She is enjoying being in the United States again especially having Mexican food and American Malls to shop in.  We heard from Ben, just three words I love you, and that made me happy.  We know he is so busy with his new jobs.  We are very proud of him.

 

My friend Jan Rodgers spent the day with me on Wednesday.  She is recovering wonderfully from her surgery.  Thank you for your prayers.  It has been three weeks.  She will be playing tennis before long.  That would be a wonderful thing.  We would appreciate your prayers for Michael Fore.  He is having some pretty serious health issues.  Pray that the doctors would understand just what they are and get him help.

 

The company John works for has joined forces with Owens Corning for a joint venture.It has caused many here and in the states to be concerned.  I have claimed Jeremiah 29:11 to keep my heart from being concerned.  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Please also continue to pray for John and me about the language.  It is the most difficult thing here.   

 

June 2006

 

Brazil's hopes for World Cup are over.  This brings many sad changes.  No more time off from work.  No more green and yellow on every building, car and person.  No more money spent collecting the World Cup cards/stickers.  No more excitement.  No more fireworks that rattle the walls and make your heart race.  It is very sad because all Americans here were ready to experience the Championship with the Brazilians and now we won't get to.

 

I had a wonderful time at Mom's.  She spoiled me with a sausage biscuit every morning. We watched tv and I worked on my new rug.  We shopped a bit and had a luncheon for her wonderful neighbor, Margaret Martin.  They moved only across town but it is sad to look up there and they are no longer there.  I do love their new home though. Mom and I got to visit with John's sister Betsy in Knoxville for a day and then I met up with John's other sister and her husband, Katherine and Jim, at the Atlanta Airport.  They were on their way to Ireland for vacation.  Everyone was doing really well.

 

I am back in my routine of visiting with friends at the rug store and eating at Romano's.  It only takes a few days to get back in the groove of my Brazilian Schedule.  It is still wonderfully cool and comfortable.  The memories of the horrible heat are fading.  It has been so nice since April 1.  International Paper has brought two new friends, Jane & Wendy.  We are also going to enjoy Wendy's daughter, Margaret.  She may want to escape from all of us.  We all miss our daughter's!!!  Also, Sue Olson, whose husband is with Goodyear, is a new addition.  We now fill the rug store will a bunch of crazy Americans.  I'm sure the owners appreciate the money we are spending.  I met a girl this week, Camilla.  She was an exchange student last year (her junior year in high school) near Tupelo, Mississippi.  It is hilarious to hear this young Brazilian talk with a STRONG Southern accent.  We all laughed.

 

We spent the Fourth of July with many Americans and our Portuguese Teachers at Kathy and Paul Delorme's home.  We had delicious hamburgers, hot wings, potato salad, slaw & the most delicious baked beans.  It was a real American treat!!!

 

Also, Jan Rodgers had pretty serious back surgery today.  She is on staff here with her husband and family with The Navigators.  They took part of her hip bone to replace a bad disc in her back.  Mike, her husband, just called to say she came through surgery just fine.  Thank you everyone for your prayers.  I'll keep you up to date.  She is a real blessing to me.

 

It looks like John will be going to China for a meeting.  Can you imagine John eating the food in China????  That should put him over the edge.  I will pack lots of peanut butter and crackers to get him through. 

 

Not much else to report.  It has been a quiet 3 weeks.  I would love to hear from you. 

Love, Kathy

Flowers and trees in Brazil

One of the best parts of Brazil are the flowers, bushes and trees.

These are just a few.

Mrs. Martin's Moving Party

My mother's neighbor moved to a new home after 50 years.  It was very sad but I love their new home.  This is a picture of all the women in the neighborhood that helped raise me.  It takes a village!!!!   =)

Soccer Games in Brazil

June 13 was the first soccer game.  I watched from the airport in Brazil.  It was amazing.  They are such fans here.  Everyone supports their team until they loose.  It was amazing how fast yellow & green disappeared from buildings, cars and people when they lost.

Termite Mound

We have decided the termites are the reason everything is built in cement!! 

Ana Clara's 1st Birthday Party

This is our first one year old birthday party.  She is Ana Clara.  Daughter of Bete & Paulo Ferro.  He used to work with John but has moved to another plant in Brazil.  What a treat this was!  The decorations would have matched many weddings I've been to.  It will be long remembered.

 

June 11, 2006

The riots are over.  Of course almost 200 died.  Sad deaths too.  Many wonderful policemen.  Mostly because of drugs.  Drugs are going to ruin this world.  We had a few problems in the city here but most of the deaths and problems were in Sao Paulo.  The gangs were mad because they moved 740 of the drug ring leaders to different jails.  How are they able to communicate if they are in jail ANYWAY!!!!!!!?????  Another kicker is they let CRIMINALS with satisfactory records OUT of jail to visit their mothers on Mother's Day.  GO FIGURE!!!

 

After spending the last couple weeks at my rug store (pictures attached) trying to finish Meredith's Birthday Rug I have decided that this is where all the problems of Brazil are solved.  These women come here every day to share their problems and most of all to have someone listen to their problems.  I rarely understand a word they say but I do hear the words filha/filho (daughter/son), marido (husband), and neta/neto (granddaughter/grandson) used a lot.  These precious women work on rugs or make sweaters or scarves.  Bea, we have discovered, is the Queen Bea of sweaters and scarves.  We could show her ANY sweater and she would help us make another just like it.  They are recreating a baby sweater as we speak. Walking into the store in the morning is like walking into your best friend's house.  You are usually kissed or greeted by everyone there.  The mornings are our favorite.  That is when Queen Bea is there.  If we go back after lunch there will be coffee (very strong) and a cake of some kind at 3:00 along with 12-15 women.  Since I am finishing rug #4 (and I have totally become addicted) I am sure I will totally understand what these women are saying by the end of our time here.  Or at least I hope so.

 

You would all be very proud of John.  He is speaking total Portuguese at work now.  He says he sometimes stillhas his moments of exhaustion but most of the time he speaks and understands.  That is such a big deal here.  They speak so fast sometimes you don't understand a single word they say.  Then they look at your face and they see this "deer in the headlights" look and they realize they need to repeat a little slower because you understood absolutely nothing. 

 

John and I have gotten involved with the World Cup Soccer STICKER Booklet.  Oh my goodness.  The trading for these stickers could go up against Las Vegas.  This is all they do here at recess. Out of 596 stickers we only lack 7.  I've had a lot of help.  I will not say how many packs of cards we have bought but I will say that we have had fun opening them and putting them in the book.  Everything in this city is green and yellow.  No business will be open during the Brazil games.  The banks will even close.  Everything shuts down except for the restaurants and bars because they have TV.  It will be something I am sure we will never forget.  I made the huge mistake of telling everyone that I hoped Brazil would still be playing when I returned from Mom's.  You would have thought I had slapped them in the face.  Of course Brazil will be playing when I get back.  BRAZIL is going to win the World Cup.  Like I said they take their soccer very seriously down here.

 

Carmo, our doorman that I love has gone.  We do not know what happened.  He was so wonderful. I hope he moved to a better job but I may never find out.  It hasn't been the same without him.  He was always so friendly and helpful.  It has been very sad for me.

 

We went to Joe & Mary Cavese's for pizza and to say goodbye to Jennifer and Jim Cande.  They have been here for 9 months from Memphis working on a project for International Paper.  It was sad for all of us "old women" to say goodbye to Jennifer.  She had been our substitute daughter for the last couple months.  She made a rug and a stocking with us at the rug store and ate lunch with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Joe serenaded us with two special songs: One Meatball (in honor of my love for the meatballs at La Pasta Gialla) and The Oreo Cookie Blues. 

 

John's TV has been returned to good health.  It has made him so happy.  I was very proud of him.  He took care of it all by himself.  We are grateful it was fixable. Well, I will sign off now and get back to Rug #5.  It is a beauty.  I'll write when I return to Brazil.  I'll have my computer at Mom's so stay in touch. 

May 2, 2006

The picture is of our apartment.  It is kind of a purple/blue.

 

Sunday Mornings in Brazil are the best.  You hardly hear a sound.  Then the church bells ring at 7:30.  They don't just ring once.  It is almost like the old movies where the little boy is holding on to the rope and going up and down with the bell.

 

When you go to a register to pay your bill at a restaurant and you are paying cash you won't believe what they do!!!  Let's say If it is $11.09 they will just take $11.00 instead of dealing with the change.  Those of you that have ever had to balance a register know how this would drive owner's crazy.  I always went looney when my day did not balance.

 

The smell of burning sugar cane is constant this time of the year in Campinas.  It can be so strong you feel like you are going to suffocate or it can be a distant whiff.  If you shut your windows the smell is already in the apartment so it does no good.  I can say that the doctor's benefit from the smoke and the ash.  People are sick everywhere probably from allergies.

 

John and Ben have survived 10 days together without killing each other.  John got to see his doctor's and he got good reports, stay at the Sandy & Hank Angell's and enjoy their company and visit the plant and see friends there.  The trip to Long Beach was a good one.  He now has two new roommates Bob and Jessica and so far so good.  They have been to Disneyland.  They are now working on getting a driver's license, car tags, etc.  John loves Jessica.  He said she has a great head on her shoulders and will be a good encourager for Ben.  Pray for Ben and the job situation.  It is very expensive to live there.  With the job he now has he will not survive.

 

The Fore Family has moved to their new home in Northern Brazil.  How I will miss their precious faces stopping by to see me and John!!!  They will be working as Baptist Missionaries in Sao Luis where it is VERY hot year round.

 

Mary Cavese took me to the downtown of Campinas called Centro.  It was a long walk but we saw so many things.  The biggest thing was the huge white Catholic Church.  It is at the endof one of the main streets so you can see it forever.  It looms and as you get closer it gets even bigger.  I would easily say it seats 1,000 people.  The stained glass windows are so beautiful of the many stages of Jesus' life.  The ceiling is majestic.  We were there around 1:00 in the afternoon and there was probably 200 people in the church praying or reading or just meditating.  It was a very calming place.  Then we walked for hours just looking in windows and even venturing into some of the shops.  It was a wonderful day.

 

We were talking with Joe and Mary on one of our trips about how many things you can purchase at a red light.  You can buy candy, flowers, feather dusters, steering wheel covers, bicycle tires, cell phone chargers, rags to clean with, and most recently bra's.  At Christmas you can buy Santa Claus and at Easter bouncing wind-up chickens.  No need to go to a mall.  You can watch a mime, watch a juggler, receive a flyer from someone on stilts or have your windshields cleaned.  These expect tips or payment. 

 

I found out this week that The Last Straw in Wichita Falls is moving to a new location in August.  It will be odd having the store in a new place after so many years but more space will be nice.  John and I celebrated 29 years of marriage on Sunday.  John Basel is in his element flying in the United States for a month.  Pray for his safety.  So far Meredith is doing pretty good after one week.  I am glad she has a job to keep her busy. 

 

The World Cup of Soccer is around the corner.  To understand how seriously the Brazilian people take their soccer you need to MULTIPLY by 1,000 the excitement of the Super Bowl, The Rose Bowl, the Master's and The Daytona 500 combined.  They are planning on having tv's in every area of the city that has a spot.  I'm sure the work will come to a stop when Brazil's team is playing.  It is an obsession.  Our Portuguese Teacher, Pierre, has worked himself into a frenzy over the World Cup.  He has bought a huge TV.  We don't plan on lessons on those important days.  I have NEVER seen anything like this.

 

I miss everyone.  Thank you for getting me through this journey.  Love, Kathy

A wedding in Brazil 4/20/06

Oh my the wedding was wonderful. The wedding of Raquel and Leo was a sea of palm trees, white roses, chocolate and women in the most beautiful dresses. We had fun especially when the music started. I didn't understand much of the ceremony. It was all American music The BeeGees, The Village People (YMCA), Aretha, The Beatles and many more. The bride never sat down. She danced and talked and had a great night. Her dress was stunning and John ask me if her mother was a friend. She looked absolutely amazing. Every table had 4 dozen white roses. (I attached a picture) Then there were white roses everywhere else. We had steak, pasta, risotto in a cream sauce and I think mashed potatoes.Then there was a chocolate mousse with pistachio's and raspberry sauce poured over it. There were 15 couples as attendants and they were all witnesses to the marriage so they all signed the book and then hugged the bride and groom before they left the stage. Children and photographers were climbing on the stage during the whole wedding which drove me to distraction but the priest just kept right on going. I don't know how he did. I guess he is used to it all especially the photographers. The chocolate table was just unbelievable. (I attached pictures) It probably had 20 dozen white roses with many white and dark chocolate candies. It was the prettiest thing. Underneath the table was probably another 20 dozen roses. The cake was chocolate with many bows. You know how I love bows. There was a comical bride and groom on the top of the cake and she is pulling him. (I attached a picture) They even had valet parking. As we left we got yet more handmade chocolate and a bandana with their names on it and the date. It was a perfect night just perfect. I also attached a picture of me with apartment neighbor Alzil (blue dress), Claudina (daughter of our Landlord) and Mrs. Guh (one of our Landlords)

April 20, 2006

 

Well, it is 2:00 A.M. and John and I just got home from Raquel and Leonardo's wedding.

Yes, John was out until 2:00 A.M.  I know you are all shocked.  This was the most amazing wedding.  The wedding invitation said 8:30 so we were on time.  The bride did not actually walk down the aisle until 9:30.  There were 15 couples as attendants.  We were served dinner at 11:00.  The dancing started at 12:00 to all American Music.  Dessert was served at 1:30 and then we left.  They were still going very strong.  This isn't dessert.  This is the chocolate you eat with your coffee in the end (probably around 4:30).  We didn't last to the end but I got an amazing picture.   I put it on the next letter.

 

This month has brought the coolest most wonderful weather.  We are so grateful.  I am sleeping better and my attitude is much brighter.  The heat had really gotten all of us down.

Plus, with the cooler weather there are no mosquitoes.  This is wonderful.

 

I finished my Santa Rug and I am now working on a rug for Meredith. John is taking Ben his work of art this weekend when he goes to Texas. I hope Ben likes it. He turned 26 yesterday.

 

We have found new restaurants the past three weeks, we went to the Bird Park for our 3rd time with Mary & Joe Cavese, we went back to Embu looking at Brazilian crafts also with the Cavese's, we did pizza's in the pizza oven of Nancy and Curt Goulding with Sam Ice as the Chef and we spent Easter Sunday with the Rodger's and the Durgin's.  It was wonderful.  You really miss your family on special holidays.

 

That is it for now.  Please pray for Ben and John as they pack up and move Ben to his new home in California next week and pray for John Basel as he will be in flight training in the U.S.  This will be John Well's first trip back in a year so he is excited to see friends and eat some American food.  He is especially excited about an AMERICAN HAMBURGER!

April 1, 2006 in Brazil

It is a beautiful Spring day here.  80 degrees with a small breeze.  No complaining today about the weather.  With the cooler weather comes less mosquitoes which is really good, not as many trips to the swimming pool and winter clothes in all the shop windows.  Of course, the winter here is really like fall to us so it isn't bad.  It rarely drops below 45 or that was the way it was last year.  They say last year was mild.

 

We will be going to the wedding ceremony of one of our neighbors on April 20.  We received the invitation yesterday.  All wedding invitations are hand delivered.  It will be a very fancy affair with the wedding and reception being held at the Tennis Club.  It will be our first formal party so that will be fun.  The wedding is at 8:30 so it should be a late night.  It is on Thursday Night so I don't know what John will do on Friday. I'm sure it will be part of my next letter.

 

John is going back to France Tomorrow.  It is his second trip in two weeks and I will really miss him.  I guess I will just work on my rug.  He went early and got to spend a couple days the first trip with Meredith and John in England.  It is hard to believe they just celebrated their first anniversary. Seems like the wedding was just yesterday.  They took him to Stonehenge and Stratford On Avon.  He is also going to Wichita Falls on April 22 to help Ben in his move to Long Beach, California.  It will be so good for him to see Ben.  He hasn't been home since May 2005.  He isn't like me--looking forward to eating favorite foods.  My Dad always said I live to eat NOT eat to live.

 

We just got back from the grocery store.  It was an adventure.  This store is a little larger than a super Wal-mart.  Since it was the first of the Month everyone in the city was buying groceries since they got paid yesterday.  We won't do that again.  They were so crowded.  I got separated from John for about five minutes and really got panic stricken.  Plus, they have price checkers on roller skates flying through the store.  Oh me!  What fun!

 

This week has brought many reports of robberies.  One of the people John works with was robbed of her car, another friend's house was robbed, we found out our Portuguese teachers, Marina and Pierre, were robbed at gunpoint of everything precious to them in their home, and the plant where John works was robbed.  20 gunmen came into the plant, knocked the guard out and took all the money from the Teller Machine.  The machine had just been filled so it sounds very suspicious to me.  Marina and Pierre were robbed when the robbers saw their maid washing their sidewalk (yes, washing the sidewalk) and put a gun to her head and made her take them inside.  Marina and Pierre had just returned from the United States. They took the new clothes, new blue jeans for their daughter and many very special things i.e. jewelry, silver, etc.  Pierre said he got up this week to go walking and realized they had taken his tennis shoes also.  I would appreciate your prayers while we are here.  I don't know what I would do if it happened to us. 

 

I have attached a painting by Lauren Rodgers.  She is Mike and Jan Rodger's 16 year old daughter and we ask her to paint two pictures for us.  They will be forever special.  One is of an Amaryllis and the one I am attaching today is of parrots.  We gave her a picture to go from and it is better than the picture.  We are so proud of it and of her.

March in Brazil

March, 2006

I survived my travels and I am back in Brazil and adjusting.  I have decided it takes me about 2 days to really start liking it here again.  Nothing against the people but I just love The Great United States of America.  People who complain about it should move away for a bit and they wouldn't complain anymore.  I returned to very hot weather.  Fortunately there have been storms almost every night which really cools things down. 

I got to Wichita Falls on February 8 and spent a lot of time with Ben.  He had to work but fit me into his busy schedule.  We had fun shopping for groceries, eating out and talking.  He is doing really well and making plans to move to California.  Please pray that he will do only what God wants him to do.  It is a big move for him but for us also.  We feel secure knowing he is in WF close to people that can help if he needs it.  I loved seeing friends and eating at all my favorite restaurants.  John said it was a good thing that I did not take an extra suitcase because I would have brought many things home from The Last Straw.  I always loved Spring at the store.  A big thank you to Billy Edd and Joan Gowan who loaned me their car.  Susan Threlkeld and I went to The American Airlines Center in Dallas to see The Gaither's. We had such fun.  It revived my soul.  I listen to them all day here in Brazil so to see them in person was an extra treat.  The piano player, Anthony Burger, was one of the highlights for both of us.  It was very sad that he passed away, at the age of 44, at one of the concerts the next week.  What a blessing that we saw him when we did. 

I got to Mom's in Chattanooga on February 12.  It was a very full two weeks.  She had car troubles, sewer troubles, tooth troubles, and one visit to the doctor.  It was fun to take care of all this together.  I got to see Kathy Beasley Palmer who was visiting her Mom from Philadelphia.  I have decided she should give lessons on shopping.  Mom and I went shopping with Kathy and her Mom.  What a blessing that we have been friends for 38 years!

I left Mom's and went to Anderson, South Carolina for one day.  Gail Saylors picked me up at the airport.  I saw just a few friends because of the amount of time but just seeing a few special faces did my heart good.  Thank you Kay Cothran & Rosemary Lindley for special times with friends and for the delicious food.  It was great to catch up.  Everyone looked amazing.  I think we get better as we get older.  Thank you Gail & Drake for letting me stay in your home.  I was treated better than at a Ritz.  Also, John was glad again that I had limited space in my suitcase because I could have gone nuts in Propp Drugs.  I certainly miss going to market with Beth and Lee.  I was sad to miss the wedding of Tammy Crooks.  What a dear young lady.  Doug is certainly a blessed man.

I missed the wedding of Simone here in Brazil but I am attaching a picture of the church.  John traveled 8 hours to get there on really good roads except for one little section.  After he told me about the hotel room I am very glad I did not go.  He had fun though and made new friends.  We have heard stories from friends that went to Carnaval.  They want us to go next year.  Who knows what a year will bring???

Thank you everyone for all kindnesses towards me over the past three weeks.  God is so good to me!  Love you all very much, Kathy

February in Brazil

February 5, 2006 

I thought living in Texas would prepare me for any kind of weather.  I can honestly say I have often wished for a storm shelter here.  Because Cambui is on a hill we can see the storms coming for hours.  Many times they never hit us but hit Kyle or the Rodgers but lately most of the time they have hit us.  On the hottest day, when you think that you are surely going to die, a storm will materialize and a breeze will start and rain will come and it cools everything off wonderfully.  My friend Cindy Kafer from Wichita Falls would LOVE the storms here.  Lots of lightning and thunder and wind.  When the wind comes from the east many times you can smell the salt water from the ocean that is 3 hours away.  John and I were caught in a good downpour walking from having pizza last week.  It felt so cool that we did not mind not having one dry thread on us when we got home. I had my first visit to a doctor here.  I had a sinus and throat infection probably from my many trips to the pool.  Jan Rodgers went with me and helped me so much.  He gave me medicine and I felt better quickly.  You just can't feel bad here.  The heat and humidity zap you so much but if you are sick on top of everything it makes life pretty miserable.  He sent me for x-rays.  Here in Cambui you have your x-rays, you pay for them and they are yours.  You do not leave them at the doctor.  You bring them home.  So now I have beautiful pictures of my sinus' and my lungs. I have started my Santa Claus rug and although I initially hated the stitch I love it now and don't want to do anything but work on my rug.  Because it is wool it is hot and heavy on my legs so it may be more fun when it is cooler. I have told some of you that you can judge the heat of the day here by how many bathing suits are hanging to dry.  Lately it has been two every day.  I am starting to look very Brazilian with my brown hair and my tan.  John and I also look for sidewalks with shade when we go for our walks.  Anything that you can do here to be cool is worth the effort. We went to Nancy and Curt Goulding's home last night for a cook out.  Curt grilled sausage, chicken, cheese & beef.  He did not even cook all the meat he had bought.  We also had potato salad and salad.  Nancy taught us how to make papaya cream in the blender.  It was so good.  Kyle brought a dish her maid had made.  It was a coconut pudding with prune sauce.  Needless to say we were stuffed.  We met a man, Larry, who is visiting from Kansas City.  I will be able to ride with him to the airport on Tuesday when I come home.  It will be so nice to not have to ride the bus.  I will be coming to Texas on Wednesday, February 8.  It will be so nice to see Ben and some of my friends there.  I am going to The Gaither Concert in Dallas with my friend Susan Threlkeld.  It was my Christmas Present from John.  Then on Sunday, February 12, I will fly to be with my Mom in Chattanooga.  I can't wait to see her.  She is doing great though.  We are very proud of her.  I hope to get to South Carolina for one day before I leave to go back to Brazil on February 28.  I'm sure I will REALLY enjoy the cold weather.  I am missing two big events while in the states.  Carnival and the wedding of Simone to Sebastien.  John will probably sleep through Carnival but is planning on traveling to the wedding of Simone.  Without her his time here in Brazil would have been much more difficult.  She has helped him so much at work.  Unfortunately she will be moving to France where her husband will be a chef. Our Portuguese is getting better and I am starting to understand more every day.  Please don't quit praying though as we both have far to go.  John's work is going extremely well.  The people are wonderful to him there.  God is so good! Well the bells from the beautiful Catholic Church tell me it is 11:00.  I'd better get busy.  We are having the Fore Family and our Portuguese Teachers, Marina and Pierre, over to watch the Super Bowl.I have attached a picture of one of the parking places here.  I thought you would enjoy.

Christmas in Brazil 2005

Dear Friends,

We had a wonderful Christmas with Meredith and John.  They arrived on December 16 and left on December 26.  We shopped, ate at new restaurants, played games (John Basel won the first three nights.  Meredith won the last game.), went to the movies (Saw King Kong and Narnia), and walked around the city.  I hope they had fun.  We sure did enjoy having them here.  I'm glad they got to see where we are.  That way they understand what is going on.  We did go to the Plant Christmas Party while they were here so they also got to see where John works.  The night before it poured rain so everything was a mess but the band was great.  It is different celebrating Christmas in 85 degree weather.  John Basel and I got to have a Bob's milkshake.  It is Ovaltine.  It is so delicious.  The Ovaltine makes it crunchy.  I told John Wells I can't have another one for two weeks or it may become a addiction. Christmas was just another excuse to celebrate by shooting off fireworks.  They went off way into the morning.  If Soccer wins and Christmas are like this what will New Year's Eve be like?  Mary Cavese told me one of the traditions here is to go to the beach, wear white, stand in the waves and let 7 waves hit you and make a wish with each wave and then throw flowers in the ocean.  I thought it sounded beautiful.  We talked to both Ben and Mom and they were doing good.  I'm sure they missed our bright and cute faces but they had a good Christmas. We went to the mall the day after Christmas thinking there would be a lot of sales.  The mall was deserted and there were no sales.  We were surprised.  The parking lot was virtually empty.  The streets here are also quiet and deserted.  I guess everyone is at the beach. My Portuguese Teacher, Marina, took me to check out the Gym that I hear every morning from the apartment.  It backs up to our apartment. We walked in and there were 50 beautiful, buff Brazilian women working out.  I couldn't find the exit fast enough.  I'll just have to work out in the privacy of my apartment.The thing I miss this week is sausage and biscuits.  I made some biscuits while the kids were here.  They weren't great but they were ok.  Not as good as Cracker Barrel.  We did get to listen to the Clemson/Colorado Bowl Game on the computer.  We are certainly glad they won.  Something that does baffle me though is the Clemson Basketball team has won 12 straight games and they are unranked.  (I also realize the first teams they have played are not the cream of the crop.)  But, then there is Wake Forest who has lost two games and they are ranked.  I am baffled! May God richly bless 2006 for you and for your family and may you find joy and peace in His wonderful AMAZING GRACE.

 

January 15, 2006 in Brazil

Picture:  Nancy Goulding seated left and Mary Cavese seated right.  Standing is Kyle Ice, Marina Coudry (my patient teacher) & me

 

Hello from HOT Brazil.  I can say I am extremely grateful for air conditioners in the bedrooms and a pool downstairs.  They will both be used extensively to get me through the heat.  (I've always been a cold weather girl.)  The one good thing is you do not need blow dryers here because your hair is dry before you get out of the shower.

This week I am grateful for many things:

1.  For my sweet husband who, after 12-13 hours at work which includes taking Portuguese for three hours, driving to and from work (2 hours) and working at Saint Gobain, takes me out to dinner and the movie.  I know he'd really rather collapse on the couch. 

2.  For our American friends here who help make life here so much fun.  Last night we went to the #1 restaurant in Campinas.  It is a French Restaurant called Letroquet.  Oh my goodness it was good.  We arrived at 8 and it was empty.  When we left at 11:15 it was full.

The Brazilian people love to eat late.  I had garlic and parsley crusted shrimp, rice, carrots and spinach souffle and for dessert we had eclairs with vanilla ice cream & HOT chocolate poured over it.  IT WAS SO GOOD.  I'll need to do a lot of walking today to make up for it.

3. For the Fore Family who came to our home to watch the TEXAS/USC ball game.  Football takes on new meaning when watching football with SIX Texas fans.  We had such a good night and stood for the last 10 minutes of the game because we were too excited to sit.  They left VERY happy at 3:30.  The game was in Portuguese but that did not matter.

4. For the lack of TV here.  I don't miss watching politics on TV.  

5. For Fireworks.  New Years Eve took on a new meaning too in this city of two million.  I believe every person in the city shot off fireworks.  It was a great display that lasted from 11:30 to 1:30.  I watchedfrom the balcony of our apartment and enjoyed every minute.

6. For my new rug.  I FINALLY finished the rug I had been working on since September.  I am now working on a Santa rug and it is such a change.  It is a different stitch, which I don't like, but I am adjusting.  Santa is surrounded by a rabbit, a teddy bear, a dove & a dog.  I hope I finish by next Christmas.

7. For Ben SURPRISING my Mom with a visit.  He said the look on her face when she saw him standing there was priceless.  They shopped, they went to Dad's grave, they ate, and most of all they visited.  He left to go back home rested and full of Mom's good cooking.

8. For Meredith's new job.  She really likes the people she is working with and she is ready for the challenge.  She said they are grateful for her too because she already knows what she is doing and they do not have to train her.

9. For the friendly people of Brazil.  Mary Cavese and I were walking one day. After eating lunch and sitting in the park, looking up in the trees to look for parrots we stopped at this restaurant to just look at a menu. The owner had just opened 12 days before. He took Mary & me on a tour of the kitchen, showed us his homemade pasta, and sat us down with two complimentary desserts. We took our husbands back on Friday and had a wonderful meal.

It happens all the time. People are so gracious and kind here.

10. For my mother's neighbor in Chattanooga, Margaret Martin, who recently had knee replacement surgery.  They have been neighbors for 50 years.  Please pray that this makes her life wonderful and much more comfortable.

Signing off and on my way to the pool.  Come see us in beautiful Brazil.

Love, Kathy

 

December 2006 in Brazil

Picture:  Jim and Katherine in the gardens of our apartment.

 

We had such a good Thanksgiving with Katherine (John's sister) and her husband, Jim. We picked them up at the Sao Paulo airport and drove to the beach at Guaruja.  The drive to the beach included going through a set of tunnels probably 3 miles long through these beautiful mountains.  It was so interesting.  Rising out of the water are these beautiful mountains.  It was a restful way to spend a first day after such a long trip.  The sand had no sea shells.  I thought this so different.  The hotel staff sifts the sand to make sure there is no debris before people arrive. The pool was huge and so warm.  I could have stayed forever.  We left Sunday morning and traveled to a city called Embu.  This is where the shops and tents are open on the weekend. I guess there were 500 tents or shops or booths.  There were SO many people.  We did buy a few things but mostly enjoyed just looking at the beautiful things Brazilian people make. The next week was spent shopping, walking through Cambui and eating at wonderful restaurants.  It usually meant we would be soaking wet when we arrived back to the apartment because it was so hot.  My hair and Katherine's were soaking wet the whole week.  Jim and John were most patient and went everywhere willingly.  John took us all on a tour of his plant in Capivari which is about an hour away.  We all enjoyed seeing what he does every day.  Then, it came time to pack.  I was shocked that they were able to get EVERYTHING in their bags.  They are seasoned professionals at this.  We sure did enjoy their visit.  I really miss sitting on the porch with them.  I restrained myself all weekend about CLEMSON beating U.S.C. in football.  I'm such a wonderful hostess.

Living in an apartment in the middle of such a big city has advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages are:  walking everywhere to get anything you need, sitting on the balcony and looking at the beauty around us, feeling extremely safe because of the guards at the gate, and not having a big house to clean (although this apartment is bigger than our home in Wichita Falls).  Also, all buildings here are totally made of concrete.  Houses too.  This is partly because of the termite problem here in Brazil.  You can see mounds as big as a small car in the fields.  This tells you why I have not once seen a fire truck.

The disadvantages though are numerous:  1.  Soccer is BIG here and when there is a game you cannot imagine the passion.  The bar on the corner celebrates LOUDLY.  The other night the Corinthians won and there was probably 500 fireworks set off.  It reminded me of Tigerama at Clemson.  Our apartment

shook. 2. Garbage trucks come at 2-3 in the morning.  Coming up our hill they make 4 stops and the man loading yells GO after he finishes every load.  SO if your windows are OPEN you count the loads knowing that at number 4 all this will go away. 3.  We are next to TWO gyms.  EVERY morning at 7:00 you hear these instructors screaming at their class instructions.  IT should have prompted me to join one of these places but I haven't yet.

This past week we did many things:  1.  We watched Papai Noel (Santa Claus) arrive in a helicopter to the excitement of many children.  2.  We visited a fabulous German Bakery.  I am so, so glad it is far away (30 minutes).  If it was close it would be bad news.  3.  I went to the Portuguese Class picnic and had a wonderful time.  I saw a demonstration as to how to make a Brazilian Drink called a Caipirinha.  I have never been a drinker and one sip made me realize why.  One of the women there said she has been known to sip on one for an entire evening.  4.  John went on a team building weekend with the people from his work.  I am sure four days of speaking Portuguese will put him totally over the edge. We got our new bed and although it is a queen it is much bigger than our queen bed from the States.  I would say 4 inches bigger.  We are so glad we bought it.  John missed his annual Clemson retreat with his bud's from Clemson the first week of December.  It was always a wonderful Spiritual renewal forhim and a great time to catch up with old friends.  I told him we would plan a trip back next year.  I do not want him tomiss it again.  I made a trip to Sao Paulo with a driver to get my RNE card.  This is a very important card and would enable me to be able to quit carrying my passport everywhere I go.  I got to the Federal Police Department and waited and waited and the lawyer finally asked what was taking so long and they said they had sent my papers to Campinas.  So we got in the car and drove two hours back home and started all over the next day.  I'm so glad to have my card.  It means I do not have to take so much with me all the time. I've learned how to listen to ESPN on the computer and that brings me much joy.  I listen most of the day.  When ESPN is not on the computer I usually have the Gaithers on the TV. My friend, Kathy Palmer and her Mom Mary Beasley, sent me Oprah's 20th Anniversary Tapes for Christmas.  It has brought me such joy.  We are having our rug meeting here on Thursday so the girls can watch some too.  I also gave John three years of tapes of Macgyver so He enjoys that.  I try to watch them but they just don't bring me the joy they bring John. Ben and I lost Marcellis this week.  Ben came home from work and found him dead.  Many in our K-group are probably rejoicing as they did not appreciate my little furry PET RAT.  But he was a blessing and brought Ben and me great enjoyment.

 

Meredith and John have settled in England.  Their furniture will not arrive until January.  She has a job and starts in January too.  They do not have a phone yet. 

 

Many of you have ask for things you can send.  For John and me there isn't much except graham crackers, wheat thins, ANY newspaper, chocolate chips, cherry jell-o and taco seasonings. For the missionary kids there are a few SWEET things they miss a lot.  Cherry Twizzlers, Milky ways, butterfingers, double bubble, blow pops and for Christopher Fore ANY article, any magazine, ANYTHING about his Texas Longhorns in it. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2006.  I will be praying for you this year.

Love, Kathy & John

November in Brazil

NOVEMBER 17 

It has been a long time since I last wrote.  It took me a while to adjust to my return to Brazil.  It is shell shock all over again.  Here I go. I so enjoyed my visit to Wichita Falls.  I got to see my precious son, Ben, go to Grace Church, see The Last Straw beautifully decorated for Christmas, and see many precious friends.  I was spoiled by my K-group with dinner & goodies in my room, I got to shop with Ben at Sam's and Market Street and eat dinner with friends at all the places I have missed so much.  Thank you Susan Threlkeld for the shopping & the cookies.  For everyone's time I am most grateful.  What a treat to have Red Lobster again and Jean's Tasty Burgers with Onion Rings.  Oh my!  I visited my doctor's and got mostly good reports.  I need to watch my blood sugar a bit closer but my weight was down and he was pleased with that. I then traveled to yet another doctor in Atlanta and had some scary moles removed and spent a couple days with Gail and Drake Saylors.  The blessing was that all the summer clothes were REALLY on sale and that is what I needed.  I was able to get many cool clothes for less than half what I would have paid if they were fresh off the racks.  God is so good.  Then I was off to Mom's and a wonderful 2 weeks with her.  She is doing great except for pain in her back and just Tuesday was given an epidural to try to relieve some of the pain.  I sure do hope it works and so does she.  Her quality of life would be so much better if that pain wasn't there.  We watched TV (Food Channel), visited with my cousins, Angela and Brenda Gayle, visited with lots of friends, shopped a bit but mostly spent quality time together.  I have really missed that a lot.  Meredith got to come for a weekend and that was so much fun to have 3 generations together.  I left on November 1 to come back and it has been a good 18 days so far.  I got to meet with our friends and deliver surprises from the states.  I especially enjoyed delivering the licorice to Ben Rodgers.  He was most pleased.  We have grilled with the Atkisson's and the Rodger's and I got to go to a birthday celebration at Kyle Ice's Home for Nancy Goulding.  We had such a good time driving there.  It is in a community called Valinhos and it took us around 30 minutes to get there but it certainly was a great trip.  I finally told Mary Cavese that she would ride shotgun on the way home.  I have never been a good map person but Nancy was most patient and in the end we did get there ok.  Kyle & Sam's house has 13 bathrooms.  It is just another "Beverly Hills" type home.  Guest house, Pool, Barbeque area (with bedroom & bath) and the most beautiful yard you have ever seen.  I understand now why she sticks close to home most of the time.  Plus it is really a drive.  She is always so sweet to give me rides and now that I know how far she comes I am REALLY grateful. I am back to taking Portuguese class, working on my rug, and visiting my favorite restaurant, Romano's.  It will be lonely as Mary & Joe Cavese are celebrating his 60th birthday on a cruise around South America (rough life), Kyle Ice is visiting her Dad for two weeks and Nancy is going with her husband to Switzerland.  I guess they are paying me back for being gone 3 weeks.  Some good things are on the horizon though:  We pick Katherine and Jim (John's sister & her husband) up at the airport on Saturday morning and we will go to the beach & to a village shopping.  They will be here a week.  We will totally ignore the fact that Clemson and South Carolina play on Saturday especially since Jim is a law professor there.  Then, Meredith and John will be coming for Christmas.  That will make the time fly by. A lot has happened the last couple weeks.  Shirley & Larry now have 14 grandchildren with the arrival of Champ Reeves and Kinsley Kate Canter.  We lost a dear friend from Wichita Falls, James Hickman.  His wife Nelda was one of my bosses at The Last Straw.  What a sweet man.  It is hard to be so far away when something like this happens.  Another birth that has brought me great joy is Kendall York, Ashley Aiken York's new little girl.  It is a great treat to look at Her Blog every week to watch her change.  While I was in Chattanooga one of my Dad's dear friends passed away.  He and his wife were really there for me when Daddy was sick so I was very glad to be there for his wonderful service.  It was done by my childhood pastor, J. Ralph McIntyre and was a precious, sweet service. 

We have seen two answers to prayer.  1:  The Fore's crate had been sitting in port in Sao Paulo since June.  I told John to call Hank Carter at First Baptist, WF, and tell him to get people to pray.  That next DAY they called to say it would be delivered the next week.  We rejoice.  It was delivered on Tuesday and it was like Christmas at their house going through the boxes.  2:  A couple we have met here Francisco & Marisa Salles (in their 60's) have had to move out of their apartment and sell their car because he does not have a job.  This very bright man (educated at Vanderbilt with a PHD) is very humbled as he has known great jobs before and made much money.  A friend from their church gave them an apartment to live in here in Campinas.  They were going to lease one of their parking spaces to make money.  Each apartment has 2 spaces.  The man that wanted to lease their space was looking for a man with his degree.  He brought him an application.  He may be able to start work in January.  Isn't that just wonderful???John had a wonderful time traveling to plants in Europe with his co-worker, Paulo.  They visited many beautiful places and met many nice people.  He is still struggling with the Portuguese Language.  Please pray that we would pick up this language so we can communicate with the wonderful people here in Brazil.  Our teachers are most patient with us but it is the most difficult thing John and I have had to do in our adult life.We have made our first big purchase here.  Probably our only big purchase.  We bought a bed and desk.  Thanks to Jan Rodgers who went with me and Cynthia Fore.  It was an ordeal and would have truly put me over the edge were it not for her calm nature.  After trying to use 4 cards we finally had to call John to bring a check.  Mike Rodgers also came for support.  It took all five of us to buy the bed.  Oh MY I hope it is comfortable! There is 3 hours difference EST and 4 hours difference CST now. When you FALL back we FALL forward.  Also, it is SUMMER HERE.  I thought after I went on the mission trip with Grace Church that I would never take a cold shower again.  Now I take 2-3 a DAY!!!  I miss you all very much.  I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  There is so much to be thankful for.  I am especially thankful for you, our wonderful family and friends.

 

September 21, 2005 in Brazil

SEPTEMBER 21, 2005

The last couple weeks have been exceptionally good.  Our only struggle still being the language.  John is trying so hard but it is certainly difficult.  Your continued prayer in this area is greatly appreciated. We have fluffy clothes again thanks to Mike Rodgers.  It ended up being the fuse box and he discovered it.  It is so nice to not have to iron everything.  I only do one load a week anyway.  So different with just the two of us.  It used to be a load a day. Two weeks ago we went to Americana to look for a rug (tapete).  We got lost and John called one of the men he works with and he came and found us.  Paulo and his wife Bete and their newly adopted precious daughter, Ana Clara, helped us find the rug place, buy the rug and then took us to their home and fed us.  We got to see their vacation pictures of their travels in Peru (before Ana Clara) and meet many of their family. John spent a week in France.  He ask me what I wanted him to bring me.  Perfume?  Chocolate?  Purse?  All I wanted was Frito's or Rice Krispies.  He found the Rice Krispies but was unable to find the frito's.  I'll get them in the states when I visit.  We visited Holambra on Independence Day here in Brazil.  It is a Dutch Settlement and they have a huge flower show every year for the month of September.  The flowers were amazing.  (Unfortunately, this is when John got speeding ticket #2.)  I especially loved the Amaryllis bulbs.  There were probably 3,000 of them and it took my breath away.  The Dutch children performed a wonderful dance in their wooden shoes and native costumes.  It was a perfect day. We had a horrible storm (tempestade).  I just knew the hail was going to either break our glass table on the balcony or the sliding glass doors.  We ended up having no damage but our game room to our apartment lost two doors to the hail and wind.  It was as bad as some of the storms we saw in Texas but more visible as we are on the 7th floor.  It was so bad it knocked down many trees and to people's dismay killed many pigeons.  The street people gathered them up though and had a big barbecue.  I have made many new friends the past three weeks.  Tracey and Brian Calfo have moved here from Greenville, South Carolina.  He is with Bosch and worked at the plant in Anderson.  He couldn't believe it was just 3 miles from where we used to live.  I also met Mary Cavese who is moving here from Cincinnati.  Her husband is with Proctor and Gamble.  Kyle, Nancy and I continue to work on our rug-making twice a week.  It is fun to listen to the women talk.  I never understand them but every once in a while I recognize a word.  Kyle will be my soulmate throughout this journey.  She is God's blessing!  We met a couple through the nearby Baptist Church, Francisco & Marisa Selles, that grew up very poor.  He was able to study hard and ended up getting a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University in Economics.  They are a really sweet couple.  They are a bit older than us.  John is helping him with his resume as he has recently lost his job. I had the best meal since I've been here at our Italian Restaurant.  It was meatballs stuffed with almonds, cheese, & raisins.  It was so delicious.  We went with Kyle & her husband, Sam.  Sam also ordered a delicious appetizer.  It was french bread with layers of goat cheese, sliced summer sausage, and mushrooms. 

Things I have learned:

*I may not have to depend on a plane to fly home.  The mosquitoes may carry me there!!!!

*They eat their big meal at lunch.  Small meal at supper.  This may be why they don't have weight problems here very much.

*You do not ever put your purse on the floor of a restaurant.  They bring you a chair just for your purse.

*Because of all the huge and profitable companies here in Campinas it is called The Silicon Valley of South America.

*They sell cows all day every day on one of the channel's on TV.

*There are moths that are called bat moths.  They sure do wake you up fast when they surprise you in the shower.  Just ask John.

*I always said I would not have a maid here but the wood floors changed my mind.  Eliana comes every Tuesday and cleans and cooks.  Our favorites are her lasagna & beef stroganoff so far.  She is very sweet and has only worked for Americans.  Maybe someday I will be able to talk to her.

*We listened to the Tigers play football on the Internet.  It hurts just as bad when they loose here in Brazil as it did in "Death Valley".

September in Brazil

SEPTEMBER 1

First of all, all of the Americans here and many Brazilians also are praying for the Hurricane Katrina victims.  It has been hard for some of the missionaries here as they either have family in these areas or they were raised in New Orleans or Biloxi, Mississippi.  It is very hard to watch on FoxNews here.  It looks like it should be happening in another country and not the United States of America. Since the last letter we visited a bird park which is a zoo in the USA.  The birds were unbelievable.  Bright reds, blues, and yellows.  The monkeys and the ostriches put on a show for us.  We went with the Fore Family who also moved here from Wichita Falls.  They will be here until April before they move to their permanent post in northern Brazil.  What a precious family they are.  It was fun to see the animals through the eyes or their children. We also went to see the Fore Family play their violins at the Portuguese Baptist Church here.  What a wonderful treat to hear the beautiful hymns they performed.  Truly blessed. We had a luncheon at our Portuguese School and our teacher, Marina, showed us how to make a Portuguese fish dish called Peixe a Moda Capixaba.  It was made with layers of tomatoes, fish, olive oil, onion, and the milk of a coconut.  I tried two bites.  Fish isn't my favorite.  I met two new friends through my Portuguese Class. Kyle Ice, who has been here 3 years and Nancy Goulding from Kansas City who arrived about the same time as we did. We have had lunch and they will be good friends for me for our time here.  We went walking and I wiped out on the cobblestone streets and my new friends picked me up and dusted me off and on we went.  Although I was embarrassed--I was also so glad to not be hurt.The house the company is renting for Kyle and her husband, Sam, has 13 bathrooms.  They love bathrooms here.  Even our little apartment has 5.

One of the PCA Presbyterian Missionaries here, Lynn Adkisson, blessed me so much by making me homemade applesauce.  I eat some every meal and feel like I am eating Motts except it is even better.  David and Lynn Adkisson have been faithful friends to us here.  They pick me up for Bible Study every Wednesday and we've eaten out a couple times and gone to the movie.  We are truly blessed.  They have 3 children.  Hillary, Jacob and Taylor. Another missionary couple here with The Navigators, Mike and Jan Rodgers, have been so wonderful to us.  They have 3 children also:  Seth, Lauren & Ben.  Mike taught John how to drive here in Campinas.  Without his help he would not do the magnificent job he does.  It still amazes me how well he gets around here.  They also went with us to an Italian Restaurant and I had the best spaghetti I've ever had and a dessert here that is very popular which is just two thick slices of pineapple flamed with ice cream.  OH MY!!!!!  I just realized that I talk alot about food in my newsletters.The new things this week:  1.  First rain after 50 days.  It was wonderful.  It settled the dust and made things so much better.  Although we are two hours from the ocean we could smell the salt water when the wind was blowing the rain this way.  2.  We found sour cream at a really nice grocery store here in Campinas.  It isn't like ours but is very close. 3.  I was here by myself all week.  John is in France.  It was tough but so far so good.  I felt safe.  4.  I found out that a "head of lettuce" in US is a "foot of lettuce" here in Brazil.  5.  I found a CHRISTMAS Shop and it reminds me so much of my dear friends at The Last Straw.  I can't wait to see what they have done to the store when I get there on October 8.Thank you for your e-mails and your prayers not only for us but for our precious children Ben, Meredith and John and my Mom, Dot.  We are most grateful.