JOEY! TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF OUR LIVES...TODAY IS THE DAY YOU LEFT IN A MISSION, A GREATER MISSION THAN MEETS THE EYE, ONLY WE BOTH KNOW. THERE'S SO MUCH ABOUT YOU THAT WILL BE MISSED, SO MUCH WILL BE REMEMBERED, SO MUCH WILL BE LEFT WANTING. BUT BEYOND ALL THAT, BEYOND THE ACHE, THE LOVE REMAINS, AND IT WILL BE CARRIED ON NO MATTER WHAT. I WISH YOU WILL CARRY ON THIS LOVE YOU SO WILLINGLY GIVE, THIS DROP OF RAIN TO OTHER LITTLE FLOWERS WHO ALSO NEED YOUR TENDER CARE. I'M HAPPY I WAS ABLE TO SHARE OF YOUR HEART, THE TENDER MOMENTS AND THE HARD TIMES...CARRY US WITH YOU, WILL YOU?
ALWAYS IN YOUR HEART, ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS. LANCE AND I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME BECAUSE OF YOU...BECAUSE "YOU STOOD BY US!"
LANCE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER AND KNOW HIS "DADA".
LOVING YOU AND PRAYING FOR YOU FOR AS LONG AS YOU'RE GONE...
THESE PICTURES ARE IN SWEET MEMORY OF THE MANY GOOD MEMORIES WE'VE HAD.

Our First Seminar

We hosted our first seminar at the company of our landlord, with about 50 people including our landlord. Here are Joey and myself participating of a skit called "menina futil" and he was supposed to be like Don Juan, and I"m the man stealer who leaves my sister broken hearted-ha! We had a blast practicing it, and presenting it. We had a few very touching slide shows, against drugs and alcohol, as well as workaholism which hit home to alot of those business men. In the end we had a barbecue hosted by our landlord, with loads of free beer...of course, there's not great ending for a true Brazilian without the "amarelinha" as they call it...the "little yellow one"-Good Brazilian Beer!
TTL everything worked out great, and many hearts were touched and we even prayed with everyone there.

All about mama!

It's been so long since my last post, so I thought it'd be about time for another one. I've talked about Daddy, drooled over baby, so I thought it was time to talk about mama now.
Well, the reason I haven't posted in such a long time is because mama has been extra busy these past weeks, no time for herself or her blogs...aw, mama doesn't mind, it's the beauty of motherhood.
Yup, so that's what I love most, to spend the day caring for Lance, using just about every opportunity to teach him colors, shapes, names of objects and anything else opportunity might throw my way.
Today Lance got to see the moon during broad day light, and he learned the word "moon", one of the few in his limited vocabulary. He was so proud of himself for it, that he kept saying it all afternoon long, over and over.
We spent the day together, went in the pool twice, and then we went over to the other home to visit his little friend Mateus, or as he calls him "Teteu". He discovered through mama that it's alright to let the water fall on your face, and he enjoyed a whole half an hour in the pool shower just letting the water fall and bathing himself all alone.
Aaaargh, I was going to talk about me, and all I can seem to blur out is about Lance. Oh well, I'm in love, what can I say?
I don't get to spend as much time with him as I'd like to, as I'm usually attending other business of the home, so every day with him is worth gold for me.
I'm loving Brazil again, can't get over the wonderful food, the warmth of the weather, the joy of the people and the aroma of the beach just a block away. I'm glad to be home! I thank God everyday for the gift of being a mother, nothing can take it's place. I love life!!

The Little Missionary!

These little eyes say so much....

Eric Lance...I'm in love every single day over and over many times a day. Just looking at him, hugging him, and having him ask for me, run to me, and trust me as his angel here in this earth.
Those little eyes say so much, they look at me in adoration...how can anyone not fall in love? He's conquered the hearts of everyone who's lives he's touched. As he goes out for walks every day by the beach, he greets everyone that passes by with a smile and a wave. He calls out to them, making sure to get their attention...now that's a great method for witnessing. He's a true missionary already. TYJ! Everyone goes crazy about how outgoing he is, and how he fears no one, man or woman, he isn't a respecter of persons. So much of heaven is in his little heart, which flows out... to love even the unlovely, the old, the poor, he sees no difference. I wish I were more like him. He's a sample to me of what a true missionary should be, we shouldn't let anyone pass us by without at least a smile of acknowledgment and a look of "Jesus loves you". He's a faithful little missionary.
Our next goal is to teach him how to hand tracks, though most likely right now he'll just stick them in his mouth or think they're his-ha! In time he'll get the point I'm sure, he is only 14 months old.
When asked how old he is, in all 3 languages, he'll already sticks out his little pointer as to say "1"...how smart!

Yesterday he grabbed 2 spoons and decided he wanted to "bug" Dada and Mama, so he began circling us and poking our backs with the spoons making some loud shrills of excitement and then waiting to see our reaction. We laughed so hard!! We couldn't believe he actually knew how to "bug" people.

This coming week I'm starting his school prep, and more seriously delving into his teaching. I'm planning on teaching him both english and Portuguese reading. LHM! A huge challenge.

I love my little Sunshine!

A little soldier, and yet, his baby boy!

Lance has been showing some amazing signs of maturity and understanding, he is intelligent, and gives kisses to everyone, and goes with almost anyone. Lot's of training from Dada. He loves to be around other children, and he's totally in love with mama,but his greatest respect is for Daddy. Daddy's taught him most of what he knows today, which includes many "early learning" verses, obedience commands, respect, and now he's even learned the Flamenco. Yup, Daddy showed him how to stomp his feet on the floor to Flamenco, and he does it amazingly good for a 1 year old. One of his favorite songs is Daddy's favorite Italian Opera "O Sole Mio" and every time he hears it, he will stop just about anything he is doing to listen to it. Daddy's always put him to sleep with that song, and now it brings him memories of comfort, safety and peace.
Daddy's also made a wonderful lullaby just for him called "Your Favorite Lullaby" which is so endearing and touching:

"As I sing for you my son,
This sweet lullaby
I pray you'll dream of heaven
And you stop your cry
When you wake up daddy will be here
Watching you ever so near
I"ll always be by your side
And always sing for you...
Your favorite little lullaby"

And here is a song from the classic Disney cartoon "Tarzan", which daddy sings to him every so often as well. Mom is the one who goes crazy about it most, and soothes her heart to hear him sing it so tenderly whenever Lance is fussy. It works for both Lance and Mom.-ha:

"Come stop your crying it'll be alright,
Just take my hand, hold it tight,
I will protect you from all around you,
I will be here don't you cry,
For one so small, you seem so strong,
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm,
This bond between US, can't be broken,
I will be here don't you cry!
Cause' you'll be in my heart,
Yes, you'll be in my heart,
From this day on, now and forever on.
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart...
ALWAYS"

Growing hearing 3 languages is a gift we're imparting on him, and he already shows signs of comprehension of all 3, and will respond to each one. English, Spanish and Portuguese, are languages he's acquainted with on a day to day basis. Quite impressive for a 1 year old little sponge.
Daddy is so faithful, he watches over him like a guardian angel, teaching, calming, soothing, feeding and always making sure he behaves with honor. His schedule is kept to a T. Like a little soldier, and yet-his baby boy. What more could a boy want?
Today Lance yelled out for Daddy, in the highest tone I"ve ever heard from a 1 year old, "Da-da, Da-da" he knows his daddy will come. He seeks for Daddy's approval whenever he does something right, and daddy is faithful to give him lots of it.

And here's a poem I (mama) wrote for Daddy:

When God made the Daddies

When God made the Daddies,

He sure had you in mind

When he created the Daddies

He knew you’d be the kind

There was a little soul

Who needed tender care

Someone to also guard

And watch him everywhere

So then God formed your heart

And gave you strength and brawn

To keep away the wolves

To care while mom was gone

He made you sweet but firm

To keep Lance on the track

He blessed you with a love

That rascals couldn’t crack

Through dirty diaper pails

And many sleepless nights

You watched us like an angel

And battled all our fights

To us you are a hero

We tell the whole wide world

Your name among the stars

A story to be told…

Kathy and Renee!

It's been a while now since we've been gone from there, and everyday more we miss you girls. There are so many moments, great moments we shared together, and now, the only thing we share is the same distance, the same oxygen we breathe, the same love and the same God. All else is gone, but we remember you with every day that goes by. The few chats we've had made us feel like we're still a part of your home and hearts. Thanks for trusting in us, and for being such wonderful friends. Always count on us for anything you may need, that's what we're here for.

You two are nut cases...and WE LOVE THAT ABOUT YOU!!!

Aaaah! Family!

I can't get enough of having my family so close, united and enjoying every moment together...I know it'll wear out sometime, as it's only been a month since I've been back, but being gone for over 3 years it felt like an eternity, and I appreciate each moment so much...here they are again.
I love my niece....Alana, you're the cutest 2 year old I've ever met. I wish you didn't have to go.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABNER!

It's your birthday today, and you're not even moved. The day has just gone by for you, and it seems like it's just another day in your life, but the truth is, YOU'RE TURNING 30!!! That's special! You're starting a whole new decade of your life....you're still as young as when you were 16, and I still remember, going out with you, doing wonderful things together. You were a friend to me, a brother, a keeper, guardian, shepherd and a sample always. Your determination and love for the Lord and others is amazing. You're not easily moved by petty things, you're stable and sturdy, how do you do it? You've been through so much and yet you act as if your life was the joyous and most calm one ever. May you always be that way dear brother, and may your years only make you even stronger, and wiser.
I love you and am so glad to be here living with you at such an important time in your life.
You are and always will be BILLY to me-ha!

Family Collage