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