Mountain top experience

Saturday we had another fine adventure. We left around noon with the Fins family to head to Teresópolis, which is a mountain region about 90 minutes or so from Rio. It was a miserably hot day (to me at least). When we left home, the heat index was 116, although it was only about 88 on the thermometers. It was just plain old muggy. As we climbed the mountain (via car, of course) you could feel the temperature dropping, even with the air conditioning going. It is a beautiful drive. We stopped near the top and took a photo of us with the "Finger of God" mountain in the background. There was also an interesting Christmas tree made entirely of the two litre plastic coke bottles.
The real treat, however, awaited us at the home where we went. It was lovely, as were all the surroundings(see the natural fountain to the right - no pump, just run by the force of the mountain stream), but what we went for was to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the chapel they have built. I could just kick myself for not getting a good photo of it, as it was the cutest chapel I have ever seen. It is built on his property and they have worship services every Tuesday night. They have 60 people. He has also built a church (just like the chapel) in the village nearby. It will soon be a church, as it is still a congregation at this point.
The chapel was just packed out on Saturday (especially since about 50 people came from our church here in Rio). After the services, Klaus set off fireworks, as we does at every anniversary of the chapel. The kids (me included) ran to see and it was quite visual, I can tell you. It was a great deal of fun. I was so impressed to see someone so committed to evangelism and willing to invest so much time and energy to share the gospel. It's been a long time since I've been to a service where so many people had to stand up for lack of room. We returned home quite late and very tired (after midnight), but felt the experience was worth the sacrifice. We should always shoot of fireworks, if only in our hearts, when sharing the good news of Jesus Christ!

Come Ye Thankful People, Come

Since it was Thanksgiving in the US, yesterday I decided to celebrate here in Rio. The weather cooperated as it was windy and a nice temperature all day - helps with the stove and oven going full blast. I invited friends over who had lived in the US or had US links. You can see we had a nice group over - although João was prominently missing - he had a deacon's meeting!
But what fun we all had preparing the food, decorating and eating, of course. There were enough people that I pulled in my kitchen table for alternative seating and then added in another table to serve the food (not my idea, but a great one). As you can see, we made our best effort to make the meal as traditional as possible - turkey (although we had a roaster), green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberries, dressing, mashed potatoes, salad and pumpkin pie, not to mention chocolate cake and a fruit pudding and expresso coffee. Wow! We were all stuffed. But you know, the best part of the evening was not the food. It was sharing how God has blessed us this past year. We all shared and thanked God for our many blessings. I even made us sing "We Gather Together" in English. I sort of explained why Thanksgiving is celebrated in the US (I realized I myself had forgotten a lot of the details). It was a wonderful night. A good time was had by all (at least I hope it was). And I have the wonderful bonus of not having to cook for a very long time now (lots of left-overs).
This morning I was able, with João's very able help, to put the house back together and organize the left-overs. I sent food home with lots of people, but still needed to freeze some. I kind of like the clean up, because it gives me a chance to re-think and remember what went on - this year and in the past as well. Isn't it great to have such a good life that it is worth remembering the past? Another of God's blessings.

Not zoom, zoom, zoom, but close

I left off, on purpose, some significant news, from my blog entry yesterday. I waited until today. In this morning's worship service, João was presented with the keys to a 2007 Corsa Chevrolet. It belongs to the church, but is designated for the pastor's use. The delivery of the car was on Friday and João ran around getting the license plate on Friday. They put the big sign on it that says it's the car of the pastoral office, so that everyone could see it in the parking lot.
Everyone says it is such a cute little car, that it just matches João's personality. It's a metallic steel blue colour, with four doors. We are excited that it has air conditioning, as well as a radio and CD player (very NOT-standard for cars here), as well as electric locks and windows (which are pretty standard).
Now get this... who drove it home tonight? I did!!!! Believe it or not I was so nervous and excited, I was almost shaking. It drives like a dream. I just had a little problem making a smooth shift from second to third gear... and then finding reverse. As you know, every car is different and we didn't bother to check before needing it. But it was an easy reverse, once you figured out you had to push up a ring (and not shove down and over like our Opala!). A church member followed us home just to make sure we did okay. So take another look at the new "baby". Any suggestions for a name???

She's Back!!!!

After my fine holidays, I am home again. I had a wonderful time with my family. We managed to ALL get together on one day at Mom's house to celebrate sort of Christmas and Thanksgiving. My sister called it "Peggy's Holiday". We ate a big dinner and, of couse, opened some early Christmas presents. We were all confused what was the real holiday, as it was Veteran's Day after all.
Somehow you would think after all these years of living so far away, it would get easier. It doesn't. My family plays a funny game of saying "Now, this may be the last time you see me", when we leave, in honour of my Great-Grandmother, who always said that after we left (I think she did so for about 20 some odd years or more). And of course she was right, because the last time we saw her, was the last time we saw her. Still, I think at our ages we sort of begin to take that message a little more to heart.
My plane ride home, was only slightly eventful, as the weather was dreadful and so all the planes were delayed (including due to lightening). I think you can see the type of day it was by looking at the reflection in the window at the photo on the left - my mom and sis at the airport waiting for me to go through security. It made for a very bumpy ride on a very full plane. Somehow, with all my neurosis - will the plane be on time, will I miss my connection, will my luggage arrive, will I have problems in immigration, will my luggage clear customs - one thing that never scares me is the actual flying! I am an anxious traveller because of the small stuff (I usually can't sleep and manage to arrive with a stomach and/or headache), but I don't sweat the big stuff. Other than a very wet suitcase and contents, everything actually went quite well.
When I got home, I sort of felt like the heat and humidity hit me in the face. Nevertheless, I decided to just keep going. I got all unpacked and even had a really nice visit with my friend Marilene. Friday I went downtown to buy a Christmas tree. After my years in Canada, it felt more than strange to be sweating buckets while chosing my tree. I thought I was going to have a sunstroke hauling the 18lb. tree out to a main street to catch a taxi. Obviously I survived. I worked a long time getting it set up (alas, they do not have the kind of trees you just unfold...) and decorating it on Friday and Saturday. I know it seems early, but I just am in the mood, especially since I brought back some of my Christmas ornaments. I still need some more things, but for this year it will just have to do. Gotta love the irony of my snowman collection (thanks to my sister) and João sitting out on the porch eating his supper in 90 degree weather! I know I am back in Rio, that's for sure.

Toto, I don't think we are in Rio anymore

Well here I am! I have had quite an October. After all my birthday celebrations, João's parents came to visit us. We were able to buy them plane tickets and they flew for the first time in their lives. We enjoyed having them with us so much!
While they were still with us, we also had a happy/sad visit from missionary friends who are permanently leaving Brazil (in fact have now left). They drove up to Rio from São Paulo to say good-bye to friends in Rio. In a way it was an end to an era... all the missionaries that João taught Portuguese to are now gone. I feel much sadness because of the changes in the SBC and International Mission Board. Enough said on that subject. I will miss my friends... many of them!
On the last day of the month I left Brazil to fly to the US and have a short visit with my family. I had a great flight and am enjoying my visit immensely. It's always good to see family. The weather is nice and the shopping fun as well. I have been able to enjoy a little bit of fall here, as you can see from the coloured trees. This weekend the whole family is getting together this weekend for a Thanksgiving/Christmas early celebration while I am home. It's all good!