I couldn't resist buying this stuffed animal for Stella!
Bunko is a real treat with friends in Brazil!
Kyle & Me!
Jane making Wendy and Susan laugh as usual!
A crazy group of friends!
Nectar with Mieko!
Kyle & Me!
Jane making Wendy and Susan laugh as usual!
A crazy group of friends!
Nectar with Mieko!
We lost a dear friend, Charlie Arendale, in November and just found out. Charlie and Becky Arendale took us under their wings when we moved to Jackson, Tennessee in 1981. He was such a fine, Godly and humble man. He met with John at 6:00 AM once a week for years while we lived in Jackson for Bible Study. He became a second father to John and gave him wise counsel and help many times. Our last time there we spent a long time together in prayer and it was comforting to all four of us. We will miss him with our whole hearts.
It has rained here for over 50 days except 3. We see the clock ticking towards 3:00 or 4:00 and we know it is coming. Since I am a fairly intellectual person you would think I would remember my umbrella every time I leave the house but you are wrong. I have come home soaked many times. Most of the time it doesn't start with just a sprinkle. It starts with a major downpour so there is no hope. The stores are really good about letting me duck in and stay until it passes. After the rain comes then comes the evil mosquitoes. John says I must be really sweet because they like me so much. My poor legs are evidence of that.
I have told you about our dentist here, Rute (pronounced hoochie). Dental health here is of great importance. EVERYONE brushes their teeth after meals. There is a floss and a mouthwash machine in most restaurant bathrooms. It is common to have to wait to wash your hands because someone is busy with their teeth. I believe it is why everyone here has sparkling teeth.
The Americans here have an adopted daughter, Priscila. She first started coming to the rug store with Nancy and has continued for almost 4 years. We love her very much. She has helped us with many things and driven me many times instead of letting me get a taxi. She and Meredith (and Reagan) became close friends while they were visiting here. She also introduced me to beet juice. I tried it and will never try it again. Well, Priscila is expecting a baby sometime soon. I won't be here for the birth. Mieko and I threw a baby shower for her and we had such a good time. Everyone brought food and we had it in the party room. She got many things for her little girl, Stella.
We had a going away party for Mieko this week. Gosh, I will really miss her. She has amazed us all with her ability to go from English to Japanese to Portuguese in one sitting. She lives close by and I will miss having her meet me for coffee or at the rug store. We had a going away party for her and it was such a great time together. It was also Jane's birthday and we surprised her with a cake. Jane has such a quick wit. You can always count on her to make you laugh. It is an attribute I think is amazing. Most people do not have it.
We also had Bunco at Wendy's this month. Her home is so beautiful. It is just like being in the States with all her special touches. The food was so wonderful and we took a good picture. I will attach many pictures on my blog. We have been really busy the last two months.
Wedding invitations here are creative and inventive things. They are so personalized that when you get one you feel like WOW we are special! They work very hard to make them special and ALL of them are hand-delivered because they only send them to special family and friends. We have been honored to receive five wedding invitations here in Brazil. We count the weddings as very special memories from here.
Recycling is also very important here. Most places have the garbage cans with different slots for different things: paper, plastic, aluminum. When you throw things away you always ask yourself "which slot???"
I have finished two rugs the last couple months. One is a rug I had painted of a photo I took at the Brazilian Consulate in Miami. His name is Romero Britto. He is Brazilian and it is lots of wacky colors. The other is a rug for John Basel. I am sad they are not made yet but will get them on the blog as soon as I get back. I have been at the rug store a lot and they have really helped me with my Portuguese. One of the funniest things about the rug store is it is HOT as blue blazes here but the overhead fan never stays on unless I ask. They feel it gives them colds. Many times sweat with be pouring down my red face and I will wonder "WHY!!!" Thank goodness John is not that way about the air conditioner in the bedroom. I would never sleep.
Campinas now has a Sam's and a Wal-mart. Don't think for one minute they are similar to the States but it is nice to see the signs and feel like a part of the U.S. is here with us. Also, I've just started trying the cheese bread here. John has begged me for years and I finally tired it and I've really just fallen in love with it. Pierre told us the best is the gas station by the Catholic Church here in Cambui. I would have to agree with him.
It has rained here for over 50 days except 3. We see the clock ticking towards 3:00 or 4:00 and we know it is coming. Since I am a fairly intellectual person you would think I would remember my umbrella every time I leave the house but you are wrong. I have come home soaked many times. Most of the time it doesn't start with just a sprinkle. It starts with a major downpour so there is no hope. The stores are really good about letting me duck in and stay until it passes. After the rain comes then comes the evil mosquitoes. John says I must be really sweet because they like me so much. My poor legs are evidence of that.
I have told you about our dentist here, Rute (pronounced hoochie). Dental health here is of great importance. EVERYONE brushes their teeth after meals. There is a floss and a mouthwash machine in most restaurant bathrooms. It is common to have to wait to wash your hands because someone is busy with their teeth. I believe it is why everyone here has sparkling teeth.
The Americans here have an adopted daughter, Priscila. She first started coming to the rug store with Nancy and has continued for almost 4 years. We love her very much. She has helped us with many things and driven me many times instead of letting me get a taxi. She and Meredith (and Reagan) became close friends while they were visiting here. She also introduced me to beet juice. I tried it and will never try it again. Well, Priscila is expecting a baby sometime soon. I won't be here for the birth. Mieko and I threw a baby shower for her and we had such a good time. Everyone brought food and we had it in the party room. She got many things for her little girl, Stella.
We had a going away party for Mieko this week. Gosh, I will really miss her. She has amazed us all with her ability to go from English to Japanese to Portuguese in one sitting. She lives close by and I will miss having her meet me for coffee or at the rug store. We had a going away party for her and it was such a great time together. It was also Jane's birthday and we surprised her with a cake. Jane has such a quick wit. You can always count on her to make you laugh. It is an attribute I think is amazing. Most people do not have it.
We also had Bunco at Wendy's this month. Her home is so beautiful. It is just like being in the States with all her special touches. The food was so wonderful and we took a good picture. I will attach many pictures on my blog. We have been really busy the last two months.
Wedding invitations here are creative and inventive things. They are so personalized that when you get one you feel like WOW we are special! They work very hard to make them special and ALL of them are hand-delivered because they only send them to special family and friends. We have been honored to receive five wedding invitations here in Brazil. We count the weddings as very special memories from here.
Recycling is also very important here. Most places have the garbage cans with different slots for different things: paper, plastic, aluminum. When you throw things away you always ask yourself "which slot???"
I have finished two rugs the last couple months. One is a rug I had painted of a photo I took at the Brazilian Consulate in Miami. His name is Romero Britto. He is Brazilian and it is lots of wacky colors. The other is a rug for John Basel. I am sad they are not made yet but will get them on the blog as soon as I get back. I have been at the rug store a lot and they have really helped me with my Portuguese. One of the funniest things about the rug store is it is HOT as blue blazes here but the overhead fan never stays on unless I ask. They feel it gives them colds. Many times sweat with be pouring down my red face and I will wonder "WHY!!!" Thank goodness John is not that way about the air conditioner in the bedroom. I would never sleep.
Campinas now has a Sam's and a Wal-mart. Don't think for one minute they are similar to the States but it is nice to see the signs and feel like a part of the U.S. is here with us. Also, I've just started trying the cheese bread here. John has begged me for years and I finally tired it and I've really just fallen in love with it. Pierre told us the best is the gas station by the Catholic Church here in Cambui. I would have to agree with him.
