I Want My Mommy

This refrain that I echo whenever I feel especially sick, is sure to provoke laughter from my husband. It is my pitiful cry when I feel frustrated and helpless against germs! Yesterday as I fought to breath against a lousy cold, I repeated it several times. He was sweet to rub my feet, fix me hot tea, and bring me meals in bed, but I didn't feel better. I mostly just had to sleep off the fever. Today, even though I have a cough, I feel better sans fever and able to breath through my nose! Still felt crummy enough to stay at home from church, the first time I've done that in a long long time (I can't even remember when...) With all the elderly people at our church, I don't figure I needed to spread my germs!
In fact, I probably did that on Friday, at our church's anniversary. We celebrated 123 years. Our church has the tradition of all day prayer meeting, starting at 6AM. And yes there are a lot of people there at that hour - probably the most well attended hour of the day, as people come before work. Anyway, every 30 minutes a new person leads the prayer time, so it is quite varied. And people come and go. João started the day at 6 AM and I ended it at 6PM. Then at 7PM we had the climatic closing worship service with a reasonably full house (Friday is just a horrible traffic day and many people arrived late). Since so much was happening, I lead the worship for João, as having to remember everything and preach is quite difficult. The service was full of many events, like the Lord's Supper, a long choir presentation, a wonderful sermon (by my husband of course) and brief presentations of our church's work through its 9 different departments (missions, education, music, social work, recreation, culture, administration, school (with 270 students) and communications. The highlight, came at the end when the coordinator of each ministry area stood at different points on the auditorium and we asked each every member of the church to go and stand in the area of ministry where they would be involved in the coming year. To see a thousand people making their way to the various ministries was very moving.
After the worship there was a gigantic cake that everyone seemed to enjoy. Me, I went and collapsed as I was feeling the effects of the fever by that time. Funny, when you are in the midst of the event you feel nothing, but by the end you are drained!
People kept joking, funny you don't look 123 years old. But by 10PM, I felt it. Since, however, I am on the road to recovery, guess I'll make it to 123 and not stop at 55!

Motira it is

Yesterday was quite a day. We drove across town to chose a cat. I suppose I could get any old cat from anywhere, but I have grown picky in my old age. I want a cat that is vaccinated, spayed, etc. I had a particularly bad experience with a very sick animal I adopted and don't want to repeat the experience. (She had ringworm, which I caught, my neighbour caught, my neighbour's dog, my friend's children, etc., etc.). Anyway, Motira it is! She is a sweet little tiny black shorthair - british shorthair champion here in Brazil. She's and older cat and very calm and sweet. She stayed in my arms the whole time. The white persian hated me and I wasn't too fond of him either. But with the paper work and all, looks like it will be a couple of weeks til she comes home. That gives me time to prepare the house for her.
From there we went to meet with an old friend of João's, who is a missionary in South Africa. Then we picked up another pastor friend (they were all collegues in seminary) and off we went to lunch. From there we went to a very sad funeral of one of their former teachers from seminary. He died while teaching. I guess that's how we all want to go. But here in Brazil everything happens so fast, it is still shocking to me after all these years. He died in classes on Thursday night and the funeral was Friday afternoon. I hardly had time to digest the news. Since he had been a denominational leader and pastor and seminary teacher the Baptist community was there in mass. Consequently we had a hard time even getting away as we had so many acquaintances. I find such experiences oh so tiring, from the emotion of the day, in addition to the crowds and noise and heat.
From there off I went to the pool to do my aqua fitness. I am at a new place now, that has the most modern of equipment. You are admitted as you punch in your member numer. Your picture flashes up and then you touch the finger print machine (or thingamajig) and voilá - the gates open. My class on Wednesday was on bicycles in the pool. Last night we were jumping on the mini-trampolins in the pool. That was fun. But I sure did drag home at 7PM, in the dark, 10 minutes stretched into 15 minutes as I drug myself up the hill to my house. I could hardly hold my eyes open. I finally gave up went to bed at around 9:30. I hope today is calmer, but more productive. I'm off to the market to get some healthy food. Want any melons, pineapples, papayas or tangerines???
P.S. Her name is pronounced differently in Portuguese. It will be like this, phonetically: Moe-CHEE - da, although spelled Motira. Her father is: Von Wagner Count Basie and her mother is Nashville`s Crazy For a Kiss.

Maybe, just maybe

I just might be getting a cat. In a few minutes we will be visiting a cattery to see the possibility of adopting two retired breeders. The one to the left is a male persian, named Gold. To the right is a female British Shorthair. Both are adults and the breeder feels they need more attention than she can give them. I am keeping my fingers crossed that all is well and healthy and I will like one of them. If I do, then she will have the one I choose, castrated and then in a couple of weeks he or she will come to live with me. Sissy and João already are voting for the Persian. Me, I like the shorthair, for obvious reasons. But their personalities will determine things. I will keep you posted and let you know which one I chose. By the way, I really wanted a ragdoll, but the price was in the thousands! So these being adult cats, I only have to pay for the spaying or neutering, which helps! So let's hope for the best.
P.S. I am writing this some hours later. As we were driving across town to see the cats, Sissy called and had locked herself out. So we drove home to let her in, since she would have had to wait several hours otherwise. Then it was too late to drive back across town. As it turns out, the breeder had a crisis with a kitten and had to rush to the vet anyway, so today was not to be. We will set up for another day really soon.

Puritans, Pirates and Pilgrims

I think this will have to be the title of a book that cries out for me to write. It will have to be a novel about a woman who is researching her family history. Periodically there will be digressions of moving back and forward in time as she moves into the lives of her ancestors (no not new age stuff, but just dreaming of what their life must have been like).
(To the left is my paternal great-great grandfather whose name or image we never knew a thing about - he disappeared one day about 1870 according to a cousin of my father. She had the picture.)
Since May, my newest passion has been putting together my family tree (with lots of help). I am stunned at how much help the ancestry.com site offers. Fortunately I had lots of help from my mom and other relatives and a lot of data several generations back, that all make it possible to keep on digging. Several times when I have been at a standstill, I have just kept on digging and found out a lot of stuff. Of course, being in Brazil, I am limited to what I can find on the internet and I am in a very preliminary stage, needing to verify lots of the data yet.
Still what I have found so far is fabulous. I already have over 1500 names in the tree (like I said, some yet to be totally verified), including an apparent direct link to Charlemagne. Wow!
But we have all gotten the most fun out of a pirate ancestor (Philip Babb) who was hired to bring law and order to the colony (Isles of Shoals) in 1653) and managed to side with the pirates. The legend says he was so bad, even his grave smells of sulphur. How's that for an ancestor?
Ah, but I can go you one better... still on my paternal side - around 1692 Mercy Holbridge was tried as a witch in New Haven, Connecticut. She was found guilty and sentenced to death. Fortunately wiser heads prevailed and because of the extreme travesty of justice, she was pardoned. Seems she was just too upfront as a woman with her opinions for the puritans.
Closing out this trio of illustrious ancestors of the 1600's, is Edward Doty, who had the distinction of being a participant in the first duel ever fought in New England. He was on the Mayflower and a signer of the Mayflower compact. He was, however, no religious man like the others. He was constantly in trouble, the only rogue "pilgrim" aboard the Mayflower. He was actually a servant to one of the real pilgrims! He, I am proud to say, is on my maternal line. So both sides of the family have their fair share of scoundrels.
Because of the relative "fame" of these three ancestors, I have been able to trace a direct line and there is no doubt that some of their blood runs in my veins.
Fortunately there are also preachers who suffered persecutions, Quakers who were exiled, and lots of Methodist and Brethren preachers/pastors/chaplains scattered around. It's definitely not just "genes", but who you chose to give your heart to.

Before, During and After

For the last few weeks, I've been working on redoing the dining room furniture.It's a really nice piece of furniture that I bought sight unseen from the former owner. But, with the brick red walls, the slightly reddish furniture just doesn't do the job. It's like it disappears into the background. People keep telling me I needed to have it antiqued, but I was reluctant. Finally I bit the bullet and decided to have it done. So a friend of Marilene's, who is an artist, agreed to come and do it here at the house. So we took the two pieces apart and she began to sand and sand and sand.
After sanding, she began painting white. Well the painting is quite a job, as the wood just drank it up, so four coats were not much! It was days of work for her.
Next step, sand, sand and sand! Sawdust everywhere. But look at the results. Now you can really see the china cabinet and the wall as well.
Today she finished and I cleaned and cleaned and waxed and now all the stuff is back in it (to my immense relief, as I had dishes scattered all over my kitchen).
As you can see, we took the glass top off the table and she began sanding it. But we will not do antiquing on it. Just sand it down to the wood and then wax it, to give it some shine. The chairs, however, will have to wait, as this is an expensive operation! As well as messy and time consuming. I would like to be able to use my table again and do some entertaining. She suggested that we sand and wax the chairs (a natural finish) like the table, and then recover them. She even said she could paint the cloth (well, paint isn't the right word, but she designs and decorates material professionally) so we could do something interesting with them. We are thinking of stripes in shades of orange and yellow with an ochre or cream background. I think that would jazz up the room. Then, of course, my rug will no longer match. ARGH! IT's a never ending process. And of course, I really need to frame some pictures for the wall... As I said, this is a long process. I guess you never really get your house the way you want it, unless you are rich (let me clear up any doubts you might have. I am not!).
Thought you'd enjoy my decorating journey.
So you who are decorating divas, have any suggestions?

Oh Johnny Boy, you know I love you...

Mr. Johnny Keidann arrived yesterday in one of the most confusing tumultuous epochs to be traveling here in Brazil. Our air industry has just gone berserk and he was definitely a victim of it. We got a little concerned when he couldn't be found... his plane from one city went to the wrong airport (but turned out to be a good thing since the other airport was closed). So from there he got lost in the system. He knew where he was, but no one else did. We had no way of knowing when he would catch another plane, or to which airport here in Rio. We finally gave up and just waited. I mean the kid is only 14 and doesn't speak Portuguese. I wasn't sure he'd even know how to use a pay phone, since it's not like you can just put in a coin... you have to have a magnetic card to use them. Fortunately his cousins had given him one and he called when he got in, but he didn't know what airport he was in. He found someone who spoke English and they told him and so in short order we picked him up and we got him home to get some rest. Poor kid travelled over 9 hours in what should have been a simple 3 hour trip (not counting that he should have actually traveled the day before but the airport totally shut down on that day and they just sent him home). But he is here and ready to enjoy some of the sights and sounds of Rio. He has already learned to drink chimarrão (my João's favorite drink), so he will not be going home to Canada the same kid who came here. Should be interesting to see Rio from the eyes of a teen-ager.

Waffles in the kitchen

Just so's you know, waffles aren't a Brazilian staple, but I brought back my waffle iron when I came back from the US. They are making a big success with folks around here. On Friday, I made Belgian waffles for Elly before she left for work. Since Sissy and her boyfriend would be travelling to Campos a little later in the morning, I just made extras for them before their trip. (By the way, Sissy just turned 21 today. Can you believe it?) Aren't they a cute couple? We enjoy seeing them enjoy one another. It made for a nice morning being able to spend some time with the girls in the kitchen. I don't know what my thing is, but I love eating in the kitchen and especially at breakfast. Just seems to get the day off to a much nicer start as far as I'm concerned. I definitely think I will be investing in more "breakfasts" with friends and family. Waffling on...

Alive and Well...

Yes I am here. Alive and semi-well. Of sound mind and semi-sound body. No, really, I did get home to Brazil just fine, with a great trip back home. It was good to have just a few days to catch up. But then we were on a run, as we were involved in a couple's retreat, with several messages to give as soon as we got home. That was just a great experience. It went really well, with lots of couples present.
Then the next two weeks just zoomed by as I had to turn in my Vacation Bible School that I was writing. That was a huge task, although I had been researching and writing at it (no that is not a typo) for a number of years. But the deadline was upon me and so I had to put it all down in good portuguese. I was excited with the result. It's a combination of a children's cantata about "The Fall" and three days activities about the Amazon. Crazy, huh? João had written the cantata long years ago and never had anyone to set it to music. It's all in rhymes. Anyway we are excited about hearing the final production of the music. My part of games, crafts, stories, bible times, verses, opening exercises, etc. is turned in now. Finally.
In the midst of this, my bestest friend ever was moving away from Rio to the state of São Paulo. I tried to ignore it and deny it, but it wouldn't go away. So finally reality hit and I was able to help some in the last few days with packing and details. It was hard to deal with. I think our picture shows, as she was leaving, that it was not exactly a happy time for either of us! As I told several people, I am used to doing the leaving, not being left. I struggled immensely with her departure and cried off and on for days after she left. I would do something and think, now I need to run that past Marilene. But I couldn't. I mean, well I can still talk on the phone (not marathon 2 hours like we used to), but I can't just run over to her house, since we only lived a few blocks away. Special friends are rare, perhaps even an endangered species. I am grateful we had this year together after I got back from Canada. I have had enough good-byes for anyone's lifetime, I'll tell you. I don't make friends easily and this was a huge loss for me. But since I was the one who really encouraged them to make this move, I am happy for them. Especially for Bia who will have a safer and happier place to live away from all this violence in Rio.
Fortunately I had so much to do, that I hardly had time to really pause. And that is good.
I was able to finish a translation for the World Day of Prayer (English-Portuguese) that is my annual task and for some reason always a heavy burden. I feel excited when it is done.
Then, came the Baptist state convention. That was all last week. Everyone seemed to be sick with some kind of respiratory virus and sure enough, by the last day João, who NEVER gets sick had something. He spent a weekend feeling absolutely lousy. I was fine. Who would ever believe I would be well and he would be sick? He managed to get through a special worship service Saturday night and the two services on Sunday, preaching, but I led the worship. That is hard work, leading worship. Frankly, I'd rather preach. Since I plan the services, though, it isn't as hard for me. I was totally exhausted by Sunday night and fell sound asleep watching the news that evening. I woke up on Monday feeling sort, kinda crummy. But pushed on taking care of business and cleaning out cabinets and closets. Marilene's move reminded me that I can't let things accumulate or build up. So I cleaned out the closets in all the rooms and organized and cleaned out the junk rooms. I was so relieved to have things looking actually pretty good around the house. The manual labour was cathartic, but by evening I was struck with João's cold. UGH.
I went on the counter attack drinking juice and eating fruit and vegetables and using my neti pot. If you don't know what that is, I won't go into too many gross details, except to mention it's a nasal irrigation system that really works. I sound awfully stopped up, but I can breath freely, so for the first time in my life I can sleep with a cold.
And whish! That has been the month since I returned from vacation. I need another one! No not really. I have learned to pace myself and take it slowly. I don't go and run and do like I used to. Today, as I looked out my bedroom window, this is the view I saw before me. Isn't it spectacular? I will confess I have been down since I have been back. Too much to do, too many good-byes and too much disappointment with the denomination. But in the last few days I have been reminded that our God reigns. And I have claimed the words of Song of Solomon 2:11-12 - " For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over; arise my beautiful one and come away". It may be raining on the outside (for after all we are in our winter rainy season in Brazil), but it's not raining on the inside.

Really a blast from the past

Today we will be heading home to spend our last few days of vacation time catching up at home. In the last week here, however, we were able to visit almost all of my aunts and uncles, as well as visit the graves of my ancestors in Spencer County, Indiana. In preparation for the visit, as well in conjunction with the geneology work of my mother's cousin, I got working on Ancestry.com to look up some names and dates of my mother's relatives. One thing led to another, and very soon I was totally hooked. I suddenly became a geneology junkie, staying up until 3AM, researching the family on both sides. Amazingly, the sides of the family we knew the least about were the ones easiest ones to get information on. I discovered our family goes way back in the history of the US - obviously among some of the first settlers, arriving int he 1600's in some cases. Our origins, on both sides, seem limited to Welsh, Irish and English - not diverging from the family stories. On some sides I only go back to about 1800, but on other lines I've gotten back to the 1400, 1500 and 1600's. It's a fascinating study on who we are. I know I have just touched the very surface, but I am so overwhelmed.
Considering that our family goes back to the earliest pioneer days of Spencer Co., it's not surprising to discover Mom and Dad have at least one common ancestor (if not two). It's been an interesting journey to say the least. It made me realize how much we "move-abouts" have lost. As I listened to Mom and my aunts and uncles talk, I thought about the 200 years all of these families lived on the farms on Indiana (even my married relatives have a long histories in the area). Now there is no one left in Spencer Co. and no more ties to the past. My cousins are all over the US. On this trip I saw a cousin I hadn't seen in almost 40 years and felt so strange as we talked about my counsin's grandchildren. I can't describe the sensation of being linked and yet cut off at the very same time.
After all of my very fine adventures, now it's time to return to the present. I have to say good-bye to my loved ones here and move on to my loved ones there. I'll miss my mom and sisters. As a friend told me one time, the only moments in which you are truly happy are on the airplane there - because you are anticipating seeing those you love. So off I go to leave and to see those I love.

Back to the past

Bet you thought I had forgotten how to blog! Of course, you know how vacations are - not inducive to sitting down and writing things on the computer. This past week we were in Canada, reliving our past. As someone said, it was almost like we had never left. At the left we are in front on our old house (which the new family has done wonders with), with our host family. Sunday João preached at the bilingual services and I was able to do the children's message. It really felt like old times.
It was a great feeling to see everyone again. Being able to fly in gave us a little more time (and energy) in Ottawa.
It was not only a delight to see old friends, it was terrific to make new friends as we met the new pastor of Eastview. We were so pleased to see how God had answered our prayers through this wonderfully dynamic family.
I know we gained a lot of weight, as we ate out almost every meal to meet with friends - breakfast, lunch and supper. Here we are (at left) at a breakfast date. I wish we had had more time to see people, but actually it was just about the right amount of time! Didn't want to wear out our welcome.
Our hosts, Sidney and Roberta, just opened up their home and made us feel like part of the family. One interesting thing is that it was the first time we have stayed with a family that has a dog and it helped me, at least, to learn something about how it is to live with a dog in an apartment. Of course, it helped that Pompeu was such a good dog.
We even enjoyed a Brazilian-style cook-out (churrasco) with some nice Canadian summer weather (although some days later the temp dropped to about 10 (45F)degrees and we almost froze to death.
When our plane circled over Ottawa, as we arrived, I was moved to tears by a vast wave of homesickness. As our visit went on, however, I came to a gradual sense of gain and not loss! That is to say, I was grateful for the five years in Ottawa and for so many wonderful friends (although I didn't get see or call all of them) and grateful for all the good memories. I realized, however, that all of our lives have moved on and that really is a good thing. I think I will be a better Brazilian because of this visit. It was an important time to look back so I can look forward with more joy. It was a visit of joy and not of sadness. Thank you, Lord, for a life well-lived.

He's Here!!! Yipee.

After 18 days apart, we are together again. I think you can see that we were happy to be reunited at the airport.
My whole family turned out and we had lots to talk about!
For a minute there, I thought he and my brother-in-law were going to fight over who would carry the luggage.
When João got in and caught his breath, then we had a mini, late birthday celebration for him. That was definitely fun.
After grabbing a bite to eat, I think he felt the effects of the looooooong trip and right now he is conked out. That's okay. Just having him nearby is good enough for me. I am glad we are back together again. Life is good. I think I understand even better the old song: "You are my sunshine. My ONLY sunshine!"

Ma Momma

Today was Mother's Day. For the first time since was 1992, I was with my momma on Mother's day. It was so much fun to wake up and give her a hug and a card and a gift. After church, we went out for lunch with Carol and Curt and Chuck. Then we were able to spend the afternoon together.
All that after being able to be at Megan's graduation last week and then spend a week at Jeri's house made the whole trip worthwhile. I am really enjoying being with the family. I am anxious for the next 10 days to pass, however, so that I can share this with Joao.
For so many years Mother's Day was not a day of celebration for me as I dealt with my own sterility. However, gradually God has taken that burden away from my heart and I have moved on.
I also know not everyone still has their mom or can be with her. I've spent 24 Mother's day without my mom, making today more special. For my friends who are childless or without their mom, I do hope that God will comfort your heart and He will give to you the ability to rejoice with others.

Sunny, sunny day

Even if I couldn't believe it a few days ago, it really all happened. Arrived in US on Friday afternoon, right on schedule. I was delighted when the trip was over and I was off of airplanes and out of airports. YEAH!!! It is a long 22 hours. On Saturday we got up bright and early to travel up to Ball State for my niece's graduation. It was also her birthday. What a day for her. We were 5 of us in the car so we didn't have much wiggle room. It was rainy and dreary and we were concerned about the outdoor at graduation at 10AM. Jeri says it has never rained on Megan's birthday, but I was skeptical that since I was present, the string of 26 years of good luck would be changed.
Nope, it was bright and sunny for the graduation (a little too bright and sunny at times). I enjoyed the band and the speakers. Got a little warm, but what else is new, right? After the group graduation, then we moved to a gymnasium for the jornalism school's graduation. At that part they called each graduate to the stage and we got to see her hooded with her master's degree.
Then the entire entourage took off for Indianapolis for a lovely luncheon (albeit late lunch at 3:30) and lots of talk around the table. What else would be expect from my family???? These moments when the entire family can be together are rare and I enjoy them. The last time I was with Megan on her birthday she was one year old and was licking icing off her fingers from sticking them in her Barbie cake. This was definitely a more sophisticated setting, although she's still my cutie pie.

I am glad I came in for the graduation. It's nice to be able to share in these "Kodak" moments. I have feeling they will be growing rarer as time passes. Speaking of Kodak moments, I am sorry but I am having a hard time adding a picture to this post, although I have over 100 of them. I forgot that dial-up connections are on the slow side.

Enjoy your sunny sunny day today, even if there is no sun in the sky - hope you feel it in your heart.

Up, Up and Away

I am looking at lists and more lists. Lists of the things I need to leave ready here in the apartment before travelling. Lists of people I need to talk to. Lists of files to copy. Lists of clothes to pack. Lists of things to do and buy. Lists of things I am supposed to buy for people in the US. I am listing very badly. (Sorry for the pun).
I can't believe I am going to be travelling in just two more days. Can't believe I'll be gone for almost two months. Can't believe I will be without my sweetie for 18 days! I can't believe I am going to see my baby niece (who was 2 years old when I came to Brazil) graduating with her master's on Saturday. I really can't believe how expensive the plane tickets were (talk about sticker shock). Can't believe I am might be heading up to Ottawa in June to see our friends there. Can't believe we have been here in Rio for a year already (but that must be true because this photo was taken on Sunday to celebrate our one year anniversary).
I am excited. Hope I get some sleep on the plane... that's a big hope. Guess I might as well get some sleep tonight in my own bed. There is just one more night in it. Cheers... hope you see you during my travels.

As Time Goes By

Take a deep breath. I am going to try to catch up on the last 3 weeks.
First of all, Easter was FANTASTIC. We had a sunrise service that everyone thought NO ONE would attend and in fact almost EVERYONE who is ANYONE was there. It was a great service, followed by breakfast (ah, you miss out when you don't live in the tropics - fresh mangos, papayas, watermelon, etc.) and then a 10AM service. Although the 10AM service was a repetition, in part, lots of people stayed through for the second service, so the church was full again!
That evening the Cantata, "HE LIVES" was presented to a full, packed out crowd. There were 200 in the orchestra and choir, but even so it really was Standing Room Only. The presentation was just fantastic. The surprise of the evening was João's solo. He was narrating and then at one point, he sang the introduction to the choir's piece. This was planned, but people didn't know it. They kept looking around to see who was singing! What a hoot. They didn't know he could sing and some choir members told me they were really nervous when they heard the pastor would be singing, until they heard him sing.
We were on a high from that experience for several days.
Then I began working with the family life group on the Couple's Retreat to be held at the end of June. We have booked a small retreat center that is quite charming. We have now hammered out most everything - from fees, to menus, to activities, to schedule to speakers. But it has been kind of consuming working on this. It is one of my favorite activities to work on, however. I love family/couple ministry. Since it will be the week we get back from vacation, I want to leave as much as possible ready - and the rest I can work on during vacation. We will only be dealing with about 60 people, but it's still a great deal of work. The photos, obviously, are of the retreat center.
In between getting this ready, I have also been madly working on getting ready to travel next week. I wish I could just snap my fingers and get on the plane, but there is lots to do before travelling. Just buying the tickets requires lots of research and time these days. In addition, I am trying to leave things organized here. Since I do the worship services, I am working on that for part of the time when I am gone. Today, I have a cook here at the house making about 40 meals to freeze so that João and Sissy will have food while I am gone. That is wonderful, but also required a lot of time to plan the menus and buy all the food. But the family will eat better when I am gone, than when I am here. Hahahaha.
I continue to do physiotherapy on my left leg, that is a little bit stubborn in terms of healing. I can now walk without pain, which is wonderful. Believe it or not, that consumes a lot of time, by the time I wait and wait my turn and then do an hour of PT.
We have had a number of deaths in our church lately and that has made us quite sad. It does remind me, that I too am on the way out. I mean I know that, but when you stand before the closed coffin and watch the families' pain, it is a much more visible reminder!
We have been so busy that even our little excursions to the Tijuca Forest have been put on hold for a while. We are really looking forward to seeing lots of nature and being able to breathe deeply while on vacation.
It seems that I must go and freeze containers of shrimp and chicken stroganoff and serve some shrimp/fish stew (muqueca) for lunch. So I am closing out this entry. As momma always says: "It's a great life if you don't weaken."

The Blue Lagoon

Today, our day off, we decided to make a daytime visit to the large "lagoon" (a salt-water lake) on the south side. We headed off to cross "under" the mountain in front of our house (via two tunnels) and there we were. I have actually only been there one other time (although I've driven by hundreds of times). We had just a great time. It is often described as a huge mirror, reflecting the mountains of the city. It is just that. They have managed to make it a very nice tourist area with lots of outdoor restaurants, where we ate some great fish ( a la Cleopatra). On the walking/biking/skating trail around the lake you get a 360 degree view of the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado. If you look carefully, you can it in the background behind João.
After lunch, we met Elly and Bernardo (he is Elly's boyfriend, obviously) to go biking. Elly chickened out, since it had been 10 years since she had been biking! So they walked the path and João and I biked back and forth. We thought about doing a whole turn around the lake, but the kids were walking and we hadn't biked in almost two years.
Surprisingly, we all held up quite well. João and I didn't even get trembly legged. But then we only biked for 40 minutes and not even uphill. I didn't want to stress my ankles too much, either.
After all that effort, we figured we deserved some nice ice cream, so we enjoyed some (with a hot caramelized banana on top).
Since it had rained here yesterday, the weather was just wonderful. Not too hot and a nice bright blue sky. When we left, night was beginning to close in on us and Elly and I both felt chilly with the breeze coming in off the lake. It was a great way to spend our afternoon.
When we came home we stopped to see Marilene and Franklin and Bia, where I shared Easter Eggs with them. That is fun to do. Yesterday I took chocolates into the church staff (not a small task with about 17 people involved). Tomorrow I will be sharing with the workers in our apartment building (about 10).
I am especially looking forward to Sunday. We have three services at church. We have the 6:30AM, 10AM and 7PM. At the 7PM service we have a cantata with 200 participants (between choir, orchestra and drama). I can hardly wait to see "He Lives". I know it will be a terrific day because He is Risen. Yes, He is risen indeed. Hallelujah.

Ford Every Stream

Despite the odds, we are still at it. I mean to say, we are still walking in the Tijuca National Forest. Last week, however, I had a small... or perhaps large, setback as I got a little too happy about walking, too ambitious. I walked too long, too far and too uphill. I knew I was tired at the end of the walk, but the next day I knew something was wrong as my leg was swollen in an odd place - behind my ankle. Yup, you already guessed it, an injured achilles tendon. After lots of ice, some physiotherapy sessions (8 sessions left to go), it's much better and I am back to walking, albeit with much caution. I have to avoid hills and steps still and I am being very good about lots of stretching. I just couldn't stand the thought of giving up this paradise. It's like my own little personal link to complete sanity in an insane world. Those photos are from today's trail walk. We are always finding new little places that are loops and easy walking for me right now. I just can't get over the joy of seeing this beauty.
In a pragmatic way, neither of us really has time to do this. However, we have decided we don't have time NOT to do this for us. We both feel so much better, that we intend to plug away while we can.
It's been a really hectic week that has been hard on both of us and I think we need this time to decompress.
This weekend we both led part of the sessions for a Religious Education Congress that was held at our church, although not organized by us. It went very well and there were about 1000 participants, but we both came to the same conclusion that we will not be accepting anymore conferences. It's too stressful, in terms of preparation and trying to catch up on Saturday night. I was completely exhausted. I have been saying all along that my days as a religious educator are really over and this was a confirmation of that. It's good to move on and in new directions. I now know that when I feel totally drained and down after I do something, I am working on my own, not with God. It's hard to say no sometimes, but amazingly, it's getting easier. It's all about a long obedience.
Saturday night, despite my tiredness, I was at Bia's birthday party, which we held here in the party room of my building. She is Marilene's daughter. I can hardly believe she is six years old. I was there when she was born and then never got to participate in any of her birthdays. So this was a special moment for all of us- especially so since they are moving out of state in July. By the time we took our photo together, I was so tired I was hardly making any sense. In fact, I had already gone upstairs and changed clothes and we were cleaning up when we recalled that we hadn't done a photo together. Marilene had to work hard to do the decorations with a Dora Explorer theme, as this material is not available here in Brazil. In the end, it turned out to be quite cute. I think I am still in denial about the fact that they will be moving in July. That's definitely more than a stream I will have to ford and a mountain I will have to climb.

Light in the Forest

João and I are working on getting back in shape (together) and now that I am really over my virus, we tackled getting back to more regular walking last Monday. After a couple of discouraging days of traffic, noise and heat, he had the bright idea of driving up to the Tijuca National Forest. The temperature is much cooler there and it is so soothing to hear birds instead of cars. Now it seems we are addicted. We just keep going back, even though we have to drive 14 km to get there. We are trying out different paths and routes, all with caution, as there aren't many makers, so I have downloaded maps and instructions and we are taking only the asphalted or easy/well marked paths for now. Our eventual goal is to get in enough shape to climb the Tijuca peak, the highest peak in the Forest. It's not considered even a hard climb, just about an hour, with 117 steps carved into the rock to reach the top. I know, however, I wouldn't have the resistance to keep climbing right now. The other day, I took a look at the path and it looked pretty rocky and a pretty steady walk uphill. Today we did about a 2 mile walk, with a pretty steep incline and I my legs are very tired, so I know I have a ways to go yet. We found a nice little path in the middle of the woods that was very very easy for me (which I needed after the hike up). I was just disappointed that the swinging bridge was just way too swingy (it's actually broken) for me. There are no safety precautions here, so you just use your own good sense (or fear) to guide you.
We crossed a creek on one of the trails the other day, and as I walked on the rocks, one started to move on me. I was quite startled, but heaven only knows why because the water wouldn't even have covered my ankles it was so shallow.
I cannot begin to tell you how tranquilizing it is to see the green, smell the leaves, hear the monkeys and feel the wind. At times it is downright dark and chilly (I have gotten shivery a couple of times) and then you come to a clearing and see the sun come out. The beauty takes your breath away. I have taken that to be a metaphor to where I am right now. I must learn to enjoy the chill, so I can anticipate the thrill.
I will try to remember to carry a camera (along with water, towels, food, matches, etc.) so you can see some of the sights with us. I hope someday to even see the famous monkeys, sloths, quatis (relatives of racoons) on the trails. I don't care to see the snakes. I have seen glorious butterflies and birds, but it's always too dark or too quick a glimpse to photograph. Hope you enjoy the sites along with us and that you too have your Light in the Forest today.

At long last

Thank you for not nagging me that I haven't written anything for a long time. It's not that I have abandoned my blog (not this time, at least) or that nothing has been happening. Frankly, I have just been sick. Don't know with what, but wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy! It's been a month now and finally I can get out of bed in the morning without the sensation of lifting dead weight. Most days getting out of the bed was about the best I could do. I didn't have energy for anything, not even to watch TV. I suspect a case of the flu, with a nasty cough that has decided it likes me and taken up semi-permanent residence. Yesterday, however, I actually cleaned at the house and went walking, so although I was really tired at night, it seemed a more normal tired.
I like writing in English and my blog is basically one of my few outlets for that, so I have missed it. What energy I mustered these days, was for preparing meals, getting dressed (my family thanks me for that), my speaking engagements (incredible, but I had 5 speaking engagements during this period) and breathing! I had to turn in a book I have been writing (it's a Vacation Bible School), but I had to give up on that project and rework the publication date for January instead of July. I just couldn't do it.
Here I am again, however. I just have to write about our experience this past weekend. We flew up to Vila Velha (yes add that trip into my super high energy level!) where his parents live, so that João could perform a "wedding". It was just a fabulous experience.
Lest you think it strange I tagged along, let me explain that the couple had been a part of the young adults that I participated in and also led back in Vitoria (which is just across the bay from Vila Velha) back in 1984-1988.
João performed the ceremony because he had been invited to do their wedding back in 1986, when he was their pastor. Because of circumstances that were very sad, they were unable to marry in the church. They married at the courthouse, but she, in particular, always wanted a church wedding. Finally after 20 years of marriage, they decided it was time to realize that dream. So they invited us to be there and participate in the wedding. It was so so beautiful. Their 18 year old daughter was the ring bearer, their 16 year old son entered with the "bride" and their 10 year old daughter was the Bible bearer. Everything was like a dream, as it was so beautifully done.
There was even a wedding reception afterwards. I decided that this is the way to go. Skip all that expense when you are young and don't know what you want (or if the marriage will even last). Once you are established and know who you are and what you really want, then you do your church wedding. Everyone was so deeply touched, that there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Even my hard-hearted (hahahaha) husband who has done hundreds of weddings, was having to dab his eyes. By the way, in the photo of the reception, João is sitting beside a gentleman for whom he performed his very first wedding! The other couple are good friends of João from his very first church (back in 1977). She is the sister of the "bride". We do live in a very small world, don't we?
It was very warm (to avoid the "hot" word) and so we were thrilled there was air conditioning in the church, although with an outdoor reception, we did get in our fair share of sweating.
I have been struggling with the weather. There are days I wish I could teleport myself back to Canada. I have seen the -35 and found myself drooling. At times I feel like the heat is sucking the life out of me and I am dying. I don't mean to be over dramatic (okay, yes I do), but for me the heat is life destroying. I have prayed that I would adapt and learn to love the heat and stop complaining. That hasn't happened yet. I know I need to change my attitude, but when I get hot I just want to lay down and die! I have decided this is to be my thorn in the flesh and must learn for God's grace to be sufficient. To say his grace is not sufficient to learn to deal with the heat is to sin and deny God's grace is sufficient, so this is a really big issue for me. I know it sounds trivial, but you cannot imagine how hard it is for me to face even small day to day tasks knowing the temperature is over 100. This morning when we went walking at 8:00 it was a mere 85, with a heat index of 109. That's at 8 AM. Imagine 3PM! This is a huge, huge battle for me, so when you pray for me, pray about this, since it affects every single aspect of my life - physical, emotional, and spiritual. They guy who said "don't sweat the small stuff" didn't live in Rio, obviously. I am at a total loss of how to learn to live in joy when I am miserably hot. No that is not true. It truly is God's grace. God's grace to you.