a different "normal"

Just over 10 months ago, when I first arrived in Brasil, there were so many things to adjust to. Over and over I thought how different all of these things seemed. Somewhere in the course of the last 10 months each of these things have become part of my normal day-to-day life. As I prepare to spend the summer in the United States an odd thought crosses my mind... So many things that seemed "normal" to me just a year ago are going to feel oddly unfamilar when I arrive in the US in a few weeks.

This are a few of my different "normals":

1) Rice & beans every day... a staple in Brasilian culture, they are served every day at school. I think I may miss this yummy part of my daily lunch this summer.

2) I have learned to enjoy cooking! Everything takes a few extra steps here since there are far fewer premade things in Brasil (no sour cream, shredded cheese, brownie mixes, pasta sauces, etc.). A few of my favorite things to make are enchiladas, fetticine alfredo, and truffles.

3) There is a propane stove in my apartment. I flinched the first several times I lit it... but am thankful that I am used to it now.

4) TP can't be flushed in Brasil. There are special little trash cans in bathrooms... Its funny to think that I am going to 2nd guess myself before I flush in America this summer.

5) Drinking nothing but bottled water. Drinking tap water can make you sick... so its bottled water at home, school, & at restaurants. I am so excited for free water!

6) Brasil does not have hot water heaters.... they have electric showers instead. I have the daily decision of having a hot shower with low water pressure or having a cooler shower with good water pressure.

7) There is neither heat or air conditioning in Brasil. Winter temps are between 50-70... I have learned the art of layering and also of typing with gloves on! :) Fall & spring here are beautiful! I am thankful for the PACA pool for relief from the summer heat.

8) We do not have a dishwasher in our apartment... I have washed more dishes this year than I have in my entire life. I have actually learned to appreciate the simpleness & satisfaction that comes from this daily task.

9) Learning to drive in Sao Paulo has been a test of my patience & my faith! Traffic, speed bumps, curvy hilly roads, and a million different roads in this huge city makes me nervous to drive... but I am getting more comfortable with it all. My goal for the summer: learn to drive stick.

10) Communicating in Portuguese. The initial frustration I felt at church & in public with my inability to communicate with others has spurred me on to learn Portuguese this year. I still have a lot to learn, but I enjoy being able to understand and speak with those around me.

APRIL

April was a crazy month for me... lots going on at Church, Home, & School. Here's a few of the things I've been up to:

Easter Dinner... and a Confetti Easter Egg Hunt!

Hanging out at the "parque" before Ji's orchestra concert.

Some of my girls at our table at the Science Fair...

I went to my first "futebol" (soccer) game... It was SPFC (Sao Paulo Futebol Clube) vs. a Colombian team, as part of the South American Cup.

Sara's 3rd Birthday! What a party! :)

Each month an elementary class is responsible for an Assembly. April was 5th Grade's turn! It was a lot of work, but I am so proud of my students!

I rearranged & finished decorating my apartment... it feels more like home now.

Church Meeting/Fellowship at my apartment... We had 30 people crammed in my small living room for singing, a devotional, & fellowship.

moes :)

Two months from today I will be standing on American soil! Although I love eating rice & beans every day, I have an ever growing list of American food I can't wait to eat again...

Here's my top 10 restaurant list:

1) Moes
2) Chic-Fil-A
3) Grille 29 (my brother's restaurant)
4) Cantina 1511
5) Nikko (sushi... yum)
6) Mimi's Cafe
7) Fish Taco
8) Dunkin Donuts (with Katelyn & Sarah)
9) Cafe Mia
10) Panera Bread

I could totally keep going... I have another 10 or so restaurants on my list.

I also have a growing list of places to shop... My shopping over the last 9 months has consisted of amazon.com & target.com. Selection & quality is not so great in Brasil... most things are more expensive, and they rarely have my size in clothes & shoes. I miss shopping & my shopping friends... Joy, Debbie, & Trish I hope you can keep up! :)

My top 5 places to shop this summer are:
1) Target
2) GAP
3) IKEA
4)Off Broadway Shoes
5) Gaffney & Birch Run Outlets

brasilian birthday!

Celebrating my birthday with my 5th graders!



My mom & dad sent a special "American Birthday Snack" for my students...



Who knew fruit snacks could be such a hit?

Peter, the boy on the far left, asked me to tell my parents THANK YOU!

My kids said over & over, "These are SO GOOD!"

My sweet students :)

Celebrating with the girls...

Julia made yummy enchiladas for dinner!

Eating dinner

My "happy birthday" sign

Watching futsal with Elissa and Gui

Futsal is so much fun to watch... and PACA won!

Birthday cheesecake

I'm a little excited about the sparkler candles!

Mystery

As I was washing dishes this morning this song came up on my iTunes playlist... I forgot how much I love the simple lyrics of this song! As we celebrate Easter in a few weeks, what an excellent reminder of the fact that "Christ has died and Christ is risen, and Christ will come again!"

Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity
Sweet Jesus Christ my clarity
Bread of heaven, broken for me
Cup of salvation held up to drink
Jesus, Mystery

Christ has died and
Christ is risen,
and Christ will come again

Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity
Sweet Jesus Christ my clarity
Bread of heaven broken for me
Cup of salvation held up to drink
Jesus, Mystery

Christ has died and
Christ is risen,
and Christ will come again

Celebrate his death and rising
Lift your eyes, proclaim his come
Celebrate his death and rising
Lift you eyes, lift your eyes

Celebrate his death and rising
Lift your eyes, proclaim his come
Celebrate his death and rising
Lift you eyes, lift your eyes

Christ has died and
Christ is risen,
and Christ will come again

Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity

-- Charlie Hall

The Desert Song

This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've recieved I will sow

-- Hillsong

she's AMERICAN!!!

I have come to realize over the past few months that seemingly easy and quick trips in Brasil are rarely quick and easy. Today was no exception.

My friend Denice was going to a few rock shop/souvenir shops after school today, and she asked if Christine & I wanted to go with her. I am finished with my Christmas shopping, but went along to see something new. This trip should have taken an hour and a half. Tops. It didn't.

Our trouble started with the GPS didn't recognize the address of the 1st shop. We had the phone number, but none of us are so great with portugues yet. Josiah, a high schooler who lives with Denice's family, called for us to get directions. The lady overheard us talking in the background, and gave us direction in English! Nice...

We found the first shop without a problem. Denice found the gifts she was looking for, and I found a few extra things to send home as well. We followed the GPS to get to the 2nd store, which was actually in the owner's house. We found the street, but couldn't find the right house. We drove up and down the street a few times, and even asked a guard for help... he was less than helpful! So finally we found the address listed in our PACA directory... and the house was for sale! The irony in this is that I had been to that house before with some friends, so I knew it wasn't the right place. So we ended up on the phone again... this time with Dave Santos. He called the store owner and asked her to meet us outside... The house was right across the street from where we were, but how were we supposed to know? I am sure that she thought we were dum-dum Americans, and we could only tell her in stumbling portugues that it wasn't our fault.

We finished our shopping, and decided we wanted some American comfort... McDonalds. We knew we couldn't handle the drive-thru... so we headed inside. They have workers that stand in front of the registers, and he directed me to a cashier. I got as far as "Eu quero...", and the girl stopped me, waved money, and then rattled off something in portugues. So I turn back to the first worker, and he just looks at me. Before I know it there are several workers and a manager standing there, looking at me, and yelling "She's American! She's American!" in portugues. Apparently the girl at the register was in training and was waiting for the manager so she could take my order. When they realized I didn't understand them, they felt that it was necessary to shout that I was American, drawing the attention of everyone in McDonalds. Better yet, my friends & I weren't sure how to ask for our food to go...

So our quick trip & fast food run lasted 3 hours. Moral of the story- when things happen the way you picture them in your mind, count your blessings! And when they don't, at least there's usually a good story!