Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy Jig Jig Jig

I arrived safely home back in Rio this morning. The flight from Cincy to DC was eventless, other than a two hour delay (I am always grateful for 5 hour layovers). I had enough time in DC walk from one terminal to another and then grab a bite to eat. I picked up a disposable cell phone and spent the rest of my time talking to my mom, my sis and my hubby. I also chatted with the Brazilians (it is so wonderful to be with people who will really talk to you).
The flight out of DC left on time and I was fortunate to have two seats and be able to put my feet up. Can't say that I slept much, but I seemed not to be too terribly sleepy. I did sleep some, of course, and that really helped the long flight seem less long. It was a bumpy flight and that kept people from getting up and walking around and so things were pretty quiet.
We actually arrived in Rio about 20 minutes early, so by the time I did police, my bags, and customs, I was leaving the airport about the time I expected to arrive. I was pleased to have my cell phone with me and be able to call João and let him know I had arrived and make contact as I moved the various stages of the customs, etc.
I was glad to see my own little house. Mia ran right to me. No punishment for me. Just for João, since she refused to use her litter box while I was gone. (BAD KITTY!)
I unpacked, ate some lunch and then went soundly asleep with Mia on my tummy. It is hot here. I am really feeling the heat. I have things pretty well organized from the trip and will shower and get ready to go to church here in a little bit. I am having a hard time adjusting to the fact that it is 7PM and still so light. Funny how just two weeks throws off all your instincts.
I wish you a very joyful 2008. I know mine will be since joy doesn't depend on circumstance. Fireworks to you.

I'm leaving on a Jet Plane

In about an hour or so I will be heading off to the airport to go home... although that doesn't make much sense. You see, when I left Brazil some days ago it was to come home. So I came home to the US, so that I could go home from the US. Therein lies the dilemma. As they taught me many years ago, the only time I am really happy is on the plane, coming home or going home. It's a strange sensation, as I am always missing someone.
I am not anxious to leave my family here. I am anxious to see my family there...
Yesterday was our 15th wedding anniversary and we both forgot until late last night. Isn't that funny? That, however, does not mean he gets out of a nice dinner somewhere next week, when I finally get rested up.
I should land in Rio around 10:30AM on Monday morning. That evening will be the big New Year's eve celebration at our church. Hope I can stay up that late after an all night plane ride. The church service ends at midnight and then there is a supper. We have been invited out afterwards. I wonder if I'll have the get-up-and-go? We'll see and I'll let you know. Have a Happy New Year.

Family Fun

Times changes. Patterns are different. But the family is still the family. It is so good to a part of family. Family habits and family jokes make for a special type of fun that can't be celebrated or found anywhere else. My niece made gingerbread mickey mouse's and we had fun eating off the ears and laughing about it. We all found a lot to laugh about. At times we found ourselves in tears over such silly things. We enjoyed going to church together last night and opening our gifts. Then on Christmas day we each made our contributions to our Christmas dinner - that was delicious. After lunch, since we had all overeaten, we sat around semi-comatose laughing and talking. It was sweet for me. The strange thing, however, was having Chuck and Megan leaving early Christmas afternoon to go home since they have to work on the 26th. Everyone commented what a strange and lonely feeling it was to just have the adults around and no kids to play games, watch videos, etc. It is a sign of transition, times changing and facing the fact of getting older. I used to miss the "good old days" of when we were all children together. Then that passed because we had the second generation. Now they have grown up and we have to wait for our third generation. It's a new feeling to sense that we are the older generation now. I am glad to have been together with my family this year and to celebrate our changing times.

I did make it in safely

Here I are! I made it into the US safely on Tuesday night. I had a less than wonderful experience in NYC at the JFK airport. Trust me, if they offered me a free airplane trip anywhere in the world and I had to go through JFK, I wouldn't take it. Horrible place. I got off the plane, went through police and customs and suddenly you are outside! No directions, no explanations, no nothing. I asked around, and found I had to take and elevator to the trains (with luggage in tow). Half hour wait to get an elevator. And then no idea what floor to get off of, and when I did it was wrong, of course... so another wait for an elevator. I gave up and hauled down the escalators and then found the train station. But which train, in which way, to which terminal???? No signs, nothing. Someone told me which one to get on and where to get off. But it was the wrong level, so more escalators and more elevators. Then I had to stand in line outside (yes I said outside, with no coat on) the terminal because it was too full to get in. Line to get in the terminal. Another line to check in. Another line to turn in the luggage and then ANOTHER line to go through security. So more than 2 hours just to change flights. Ask me if I was happy?
All's well that ends well and I actually took off early and arrived 40 minutes ahead of schedule in Cincinnati.
I was one tired puppy, since we had left home in Rio at 4:30AM and arrived here in the US the equivalent of 1:30AM. I was ready to hit the sack, which I did. I could appreciate being home and seeing my family again the next day, although I did wake up with a cold and fever. I have been kind of under the weather for a couple of days, but who wants to get out and do stuff in the winter anyway?
So I've been quiet and just enjoying the family. Everyone will be in for Christmas eve and Christmas day and I know it will be fun.
In the meantime, back at the ranch, my poor husband has been quite sicker, much sicker than I was with the cold. It's hard to have to be far away from your family in order to be with the rest of your family.
Anyway, that's the scoop! I am here and I am happy.

Too cute for words

Now come on, even Scrooge would have to admit this is about the cutest thing you have ever seen. I mean how could Mia just NOT melt your heart. All cats are darling, but even a cat hater would have to say she is too cute for words. She let me dress her in this ridiculous little costume and even sort of enjoyed it. She just purred away. Then posed nicely for us. We have lots of shots of her, but we were just practicing. We want to get together and take a family shot, but it's hard. Sissy is working night and day (she took a job at a store for the Christmas rush and is gone from 10:30AM-9PM every day, 7 days a week) and right now Elly is taking a short vacation in Argentina. Consequently, I just couldn't resist posting these practice photos that wish you all a very Merry Christmas this year. May your days be merry and bright!

Have you ever?

Have you ever just wanted to do something and then impulsively done it? While I can be an impulsive person in expressing what I am feeling (read: I don't know how to hide my emotions), I usually am not impulsive in my actions. I think about what I am going to do and play and replay things out before and after I do anything. My brain tends to think quickly, so I have more time than most people for playing out any given scenario. And since I am very much a control freak, I like to plan everything out pretty meticulously. I don't like for things to be out of my control. That's why I often resist change when it is not something I have instigated. This week, however, I expressed that I wanted to do something and before I had time to really think it out, it was happening.
This year I just haven't been able to get in the mood for Christmas. I put up the tree, but have played no Christmas music and have not even turned on the lights. There is going to be no special Christmas service at church - no cantatas, no Christmas sermons, no children's program. It's like everyone has gone on strike.
I have very much just been going through the motions, without the emotions - although I never want to be piloted by emotions, it's kinda nice when they match up with what you are doing. And usually I can force play my emotions into following my actions. Just didn't work.
When I mentioned to João that I thought I was missing my family, he asked why I didn't just fly home for Christmas. I thought that was nuts, since I like to plan things out for months. Usually my suitcase is packed weeks in advance. Besides, I mentioned, this is high rates season. Tickets run $3,000-5,000. No way. But he told me to look anyway. So I did. I found a crazy flight (leaves at 6AM and gets in at 11PM) that was dirt cheap. There were seats available. I booked a reservation and paid for it and now in about 11 more days I'll be in the US with my family for a few days for Christmas. Can you believe it? Little 'ole non-spontaneous me. I just did it. I don't think I can really believe I did it. Neither can my family. I think it will be good for all of us. It will be a respite from the heat for me and a chance to share Christmas with my immediate family. And João's girls will get to have a Christmas just with their dad. That will be nice for them too. So, there you go. Have you ever just wanted to do something you thought you couldn't? And then did it? Well I did!

It's Beginning to Look (not feel) a Lot Like Christmas

Today João and I took off a couple hours, as we haven't really had any time off together for more than two weeks. We enjoyed a nice lunch together and tried to finish up the Christmas shopping. The mall was so beautifully decorated, that I really enjoyed just looking. Of course I can't walk for long or even really fast or else my calf screams for attention. Still I am able to walk around the mall and do my shopping if I don't rush it and stop and stretch some. I think my tendon problem is chronic, so I am going to have to learn to live with a degree of discomfort unless I lose about 30 pounds. Can't see that happening.
I didn't expect the decorations to be so beautiful, so I only had my cell phone with me, so these photos don't really capture the beauty. The trees were two-three stories high.
The last couple of weeks have been rather hectic. Weekend before last I was at a state women's camp. It was great to preach for women. There were about 400 or so present (see photo to the right), and many old acquaintances. I found it very rewarding. I love sharing God's word and so miss doing so on a regular basis. I continue to pray for open doors in this ministry. Right now I am seen as the pastor's wife - capable of working with the children,and helping João, but not for preaching and teaching I guess. But at the right time, things will unfold I know. God's timing is perfect!
This past weekend we had a wonderful congress about Sunday School at our church. I had hoped it would be better attended, but we only had around 250-300. Still that's a good group and I think some real seeds of change were planted. The main speaker was really really fantastic. I did an afternoon workshop with the teenagers and had so much fun with them. (The only reason I didn't do the children's workshop is because I told them I preferred working with another age group. So I guess they thought I could possibly handle teenagers (certainly not adults, right?). But I wouldn't have missed it for the world. The kids were a riot. I loved it. I had the room set up like a living room and we analyzed music and movies. Their thoughts were deep and they taught me much. The kids at our church are just charming and I love them so much. If I had the drive and energy I would take them on, but they need someone younger and more energetic. Still now and then I do teach them and every single time is a blessing. I am encouraged that we will be calling a youth minister next year. I tried to do a composite picture, pulling together 3 photos of the group, so it's an odd shape, but if you click on it you get a better view.
I really shouldn't be working on this blog tonight as I need to be planning the worship service that the orchestra will be participating in on the 16th. They need to pull together all the arrangements, so they need to know the order of worship. I am tired and guess I needed to think on other things. Still, Momma always said: "work before play", so off I go. Hope you are enjoying your snow as much as I am enjoying my air-conditioning!