I hope there are still a few of you out there that are checking the blog for updates. It is not as easy to post them as it was when we were in Brazil. The days are busy and seem to go by quickly. We are still trying to get into a steady routine. It is good we arrived back in the US in the middle of summer when there are fewer commitments and obligations. This allows time to get adjusted and prepare for the coming school year which will be here all too soon. The 4 children are doing as well as can be expected. The original 5 are adjusting as well. I think it is different than they expected. I think they would like the 4 to speak English fluently... which would make many things much easier. They know our expectations and how we do things and have to teach or be patient with the 4 as they are learning the ropes. There are little things like... don't go around the house turning on the lights... don't press the door lock on the car with the keys still in the car... just because someone has something, it doesn't mean you get one too... and "please hang up the phone, I already answered it". And of course there are adjustments for me... What do you mean you don't have anything to eat? You just went shopping 3 days ago... OK you need bananas, 2 dozen eggs, 2 gallons of milk, and bread and if I don't want to go back in a couple of days make it 3 of everything. Actually it isn't quite that bad. We are buying differently... in the bulk and prices are much lower than I expected.. so overall it seems manageable at this time. We are seeing improvements with the 4. The girls no longer sleep in the same bed, all are getting use to new food and eating meals instead of snacking in between the meals, Wellington doesn't keep as close attention of the others... he let's mom and dad do that. Last week was VBS at our church and Wellington and Lidiane seemed to enjoy it. I do know all are understanding more and more English and are slowly speaking more. One thing Rebekah and I would like to do is stay in contact with our friends from Brazil. If you are reading this.. please be patient with us. We wished we could skype you or e-mail you by now but it just hasn't worked out yet. We will be in touch. You were such a blessing to us... we haven't forgotten you. Have you ever done something that seems crazy? When other people hear about it... you know they are saying..."what in the world are they doing?"... "Can you believe what they did?" There are times I sense that in people. I haven't had anyone say it to me... I just get the feeling. It reminds me of 2 people who probably heard people question them and possibly were ridiculed. I will talk about one of them now. He was a new CEO for a large company with over one million people looking to him for leadership. Just after taking the position he moved the entire company. Then he began the first of several hostile take-overs. Now this may not sound unusual but the first take-over had people scratching their heads. There were no meetings or negotiations. He took every employee and had them walk around the building of the other company for 6 days and then on the 7th day they walked around it 6 times. OK...OK... you probably know by now I am talking about Joshua in the Old Testament. As the new leader of the Israelites, he had everyone looking to him to see how he would handle the responsibilities. Now if you knew you were to try to conqueror something, and you were asked to walk around it several times and on the 7th day it would be given to you without a fight. I don't know about you but I would ask for plan "B". Now imagine Joshua, do you think anyone questioned his decision? Maybe his sanity... maybe other leaders even talked of replacing him?? What did the people of Jericho think or say. Did they laugh and make fun of Joshua and try to humiliate him in front of his own people? Probably... yes! But... but... enter God! Who was humiliated? Who was considered a great leader. All Joshua did was obey. It is hard to lose when you trust God. That's where I want to be. I'll try to get more pics up. Thanks for messages of encouragement and all your prayers.
Dave