Thursday June 30, 2011

First Month

I'm nearing my one-month anniversary of being in Brazil and what a month it's been! I'm living with Lucas & Teresa Bair and their 3 boys and 2 dogs and it's never dull! But I love it! My friend, Julia, was here for the first two weeks and I attended my first Brazilian baby dedication as a god-mother. My friends, Chris & Tamara Shirk, asked me to be god-mother to their daughter, Tyisha. Tamara is the friend I've known the longest here in Brazil and I was thrilled to be asked. The sad part is that in the past two weeks they have moved from Brazil to Pennsylvania, where Chris is from. So I will have to watch Tyisha grow up in pictures.

This week my apartent should be ready to be cleared out and then we can start finding furnishings for it. I'm anxious to get in my own place and start my life there, but at the same time not too anxious to leave my current living situation. I've loved every minute of "Bair Life" and have enjoyed living so closely with my dear friends. When I get to the Rincao and my new house I will enter a world of "all Portuguese, all the time" as no one there speaks English. At least not very well. But it should help me learn quicker!

It's gotten cold here fast and I spend most of my days trying to stay warm inside the house. Lucas said this is the coldest he thinks it's ever been in the last two years. Perfect! I'm very thankful for my down comforter, long underwear and slippers! But I do need to dig out my gloves! I went outside today to feed the dogs and it was the first time I'd been outside since Sunday! It's COLD!!

I've started a photo album called, "Life in Brazil" and I'm continually adding pictures to it. You can find it here or in my photos on Facebook.

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Language

Next week, next week, next week!! I officially start my language class on Monday, July 4! I will start learning Portuguese grammar with my teacher, Gabrielle, at her house in Porto Alegre on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2-4pm. After a couple weeks I will then start Portuguese conversation class for one hour every day with my friend, Marcia. I'm excited to start class and to begin to get a better grasp on this language so I can start communicating better. I'd appreciate your prayers as I begin this journey...

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Dad

As many of you know, my dad has been experiencing some major health issues recently. I'm happy to report that today there appears to be no intestinal blockage and he is much better. The doctors are so pleased with his progess that he will be released from the hospital on Sunday! AND...there is no surgery in the forseable future! Praise the Lord!! Of course, if the blockage were to reoccur they would need to do whatever is necessary to correct it. But for now we are rejoicing in answered prayer! My brother says that my dad's spirits improved 200% when he heard this news. And then my brother bought him a chocolate malt. :-)  

THANK YOU for your prayers for my dad and my family. I have had unexplainable peace throughout this and I am convinced it's only because of people praying. Thanks for standing with me...

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