A very good year

If I really sat down and thought about it, I would come up with a post too long to post, but here's a recap of things that blessed my heart in 2006:
1. Coming back to Brasil!!!! (of course)
2. Living on the farm for 2 months with a bunch of other M's and keeping in touch with them now.
3. Living with my mom for 3 months while waiting on my visa and having her encouragement and advice, even when I didn't want to hear it.
4. Living in Birmingham for 3 months while waiting on my visa with a roommate and a job that were perfect for the time.
5. Getting to live around lots of college friends -- seems like most of them ended up in Birmingham!
6. Getting to visit college friends.
7. Helping JAX remember what it's like to laugh and be silly and relax with your best friend like you can do with no one else.
8. New friends scattered all over the world.
9. A Brasilian experience that I can call my own (though I miss Amy tons!).
10. My dream job.
11. A wonderul boyfriend who totally understands why I am here and not there, what I do, and Brasilian culture, having grown up here himself.
12. Knowing that I am missed (for whatever reason -- a common one seems to be my cooking) by people in Birmingham, Jacksonville, Atlanta, and Houston (not to mention the family in GA & MT).
13. Learning (I certainly still don't have it down!) to rest in the loving arms of the One who has all things under control, whether it be how long it takes to get a visa, a perfect situation to live in during the wait, or even sending my roommate back "home" to the US so (if for no other reason) I can have my own Brasilian life.

Best Christmas Present Ever

Well, Christmas has been a little drawn out this year, since mom sent me 12 days of Christmas (which I got before Christmas) and so did dad (which I got today). My friend Corrie sent me an envelope full of cards from my Sunday School class, and what else did she include in it but SNOW! I love the fact that she wanted me to have a semi-normal Christmas (where it's cold) even though I am here close to the beaches of Rio! I am so thankful for my wonderful friends!

Well, I though I should let people know I'm okay after reading this article about the latest wave of violence in Rio.
I know that there are plenty of people worried about me, but I'm not scared. Know that that is not simply a cavalier attitude where I throw caution to the wind. I do exercise caution (like I probably won't be going to Copacabana by myself anytime this week and I don't walk around with a lot of money in my pockets, and I wouldn't, even if I had any!). God both exercises and stays His hand in full wisdom, drawing people to Himself in the process. Who knows, maybe I'll get to talk to someone who lost a relative or friend in this violence when we go out with our teams next year.
A little bit about our work (for those of you who don't already know): I am a missionary with the IMB, and we (I along with a team of 4 others) take teams of volunteers from the great state of Tennessee into the favelas (slums) of Rio to provide medical care and to tell them about Jesus and the love of God. An amazing job -- it has truly been a gift and a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of American life.

Brazilian Christmas

I got to spend Christmas at my friend Louise's house with her whole family -- a real Natal Brasileiro! We started with a family dynamic (a type of icebreaker/party game) and then shared our favorite Bible verses and prayed. We ate dinner at 1 a.m. Christmas morning! After dinner, we exchanged presents and finally went to sleep at 4:30.
Christmas day was a day at the beach -- a fine idea, as it was about 100 degrees outside, and Christmas night was spent at a church service commemorating and celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. His coming was long-awaited and expected by those who lived in His time, and today His followers are awaiting His return. We celebrate His first coming and await His second, when we will be with Him in glory.

12 Days of Christmas, Part 12

On the 12th day of Christmas, my mother sent to me:

For One More Day by Mitch Albom. Haven't heard much about it (having been sequestered in a foreign country for 2 months). Yay for a new book!

12 Days of Christmas, Part 11

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my mother sent to me:
Two very fun pairs of earrings that will certainly get put to good use!

Light of the World

Psalm 82 got me thinking this morning. I love the fact that it talks about defending the weak and maintaining the rights of the poor and oppressed. For me, at least in my life, that doesn't mean through law or politics (I am thankful each day that God created me as I am. Love to those of you in my life who are or desire to be in law, politics, or both!). Verse 5 says this: "They walk about in darkness." Do I think they walk about in the dark bumping into things because they sometimes can't pay their electric bill (a very real possibility)? Nope. They walk about in darkness because they don't know Christ. As a follower of Christ, one of the tasks that falls to me is carrying His message to others. I happen to live in Brasil. I happen to be a pharmacist who works on a team, bringing medical care to the slums of Rio. I would not be faithful to my task if I only took medical care with me. These people are not in darkness because they are poor or don't always have access to medical care. Sometimes that's even an advantage that helps them to see the hope that Christ gives. He has gone to prepare a dwelling place for us, His followers, His church, His bride. Because He came to this earth as a tiny baby (which we celebrate at Christmas), I have been rescued from the futility of the curses that were given to Adam and Eve in Genesis. Their curses brought death. Christ brings life.

12 Days of Christmas, Part 10

On the tenth day of Christmas, my mother sent to me:
Elton John's Christmas Party
Although I am sad it came near the end of the presents, I am excited because I will probably listen to it all year.

Tea with the queen

Well, not quite, since Brazil doesn't have a queen. This afternoon was an adventure. My friend has been telling me about this tea since I got here and we finally decided to go today. The picture is of me and her. Here's a rundown of the courses:

• Bread: cheese bread, croissants, breads filled with guava jelly, danishes, and Hawaiian bread, all served with butter and 2 types of jelly (yellow papaya and apricot)


• "Salgadinhos" (salty dishes): finger sandwiches -- ham & cheese, salmon, and sun-dried tomato with turkey; and baby quiches -- spinach and onion (not together)


• "Doces" (sweets): waffle (pronounced "WAY-ful") with honey, chocolate fondue with fruits in season, and cakes of chocolate, nuts, and some sort of fruit that we didn't recognize


• Drinks: water, juices of our choice, hot chocolate, and coffee

All of this was "a vontade" (as much as we wanted) for a fixed price. I couldn't put anything else in my stomach by the time the cakes came (thankfully, I was able to eat the fondue). Next time, I'm going to fast a full 24 hours in advance....

Lottie Moon

A friend of mine sent out her update today, and as I haven't really been diligent in telling people about Aunt Lottie, now is the time. The International Mission Board (IMB) takes up a special offering every Christmas for world missions. That offering pays for me to be here -- my salary, my apartment, my car, my health insurance -- along with over 5000 other "M's" around the world. I found out two fun things from her update:
1. Some clever person has started a blog written from the point of view of Lottie Moon. Apparently Lottie Lives.
2. One isn't restricted to giving to Aunt Lottie just at Christmastime (though that is certainly an easy time to give). You can go to the IMB website and give online, year round.
Thank you to everyone who makes it possible for me to be here through their giving, going, and praying!

12 Days of Christmas, Part 9

On the ninth day of Christmas my mother sent to me:
Travel-size Bath & Body Works. At least I can smell good while I sweat.

HOT

Oh, my. Summer starts tomorrow and it's already reached 100 degrees (actually 104 in places yesterday). AND the heat index (you know, the "feels like") was 112 today. I am pretty wiped out. The one comforting thought is that a friend told me that not even Brazilians can stand this kind of heat (this is the kind of heat that requires 3 showers in one day, all cold!).

12 Days of Christmas, Part 8

On the eighth day of Christmas my mother sent to me:
A grand SuDoKu book (complete with a little frowny-face in the "O" who, apparently, is sticking his tongue out at anyone willing to challenge him). I had run out of puzzles, so I am quite glad for this one.

12 Days of Christmas, Part 7

On the seventh day of Christmas, my mother sent to me:
A very festive Nutcracker ornament for my (still) non-existent tree. I have always loved The Nutcracker (the story and the ballet), since I was little. I used to dream of taking part in the ballet, and I absolutely LOVE the music! It always makes me think of Christmas.

Settling in

I figured this post was something worthy of shouting from the rooftops, but I will maintain my decorum. I have had more people over the past 3 or 4 weeks say (when they found out I was NOT Brazilian), "Oh, I just spoke Portuguese to you because I thought you were Brazilian." Which is all very well and good, since I speak Portuguese. PEOPLE HERE THINK I'M BRAZILIAN! How cool is that?

12 Days of Christmas, Part 6

On the sixth day of Christmas my mother sent to me:
A bag of Dove dark chocolates. Apparently they're healthy (what are cocoa flavanols, anyway?). And tasty. They are magical stress relievers. They're in my freezer right now because I'm scared that they'll melt otherwise.

I went to church tonight to hear the Christmas Cantata (Cantata do Natal) and it was pretty amazing. Brazilians love music, and so when they have the chance to sing, boy do they get into it! I had to laugh because some of the songs were a little different:
"Angels We Have Heard on High" was sung to a samba beat. My friend said "Only in Brasil will they put a samba beat and Latin in the same song, at the same time." And her sister added, "Yeah, and at Christmas too!"
"Hallelujah Chorus" was jazzed up a little bit, too. They sang it in the "classic style" last Sunday night and definitely adapted it to Brazilian culture tonight.
It's still weird to be hearing Christmas music when everyone in the praça is fanning themselves with the bulletin. But Christmas time it is!

12 Days of Christmas, Part 5

On the fifth day of Christmas, my mother sent to me:
A lovely retro-looking fleece throw blanket. That's definitely a laugh because while I will definitely need it during the winter (June, July, August), it's a funny present to open when it's almost 95 degrees outside.

12 Days of Christmas, Part 4

On the fourth day of Christmas my mother sent to me:
A little Santa ornament to put on my tree (that for some reason I haven't gotten yet).

More funny sounds

This is one I thought I'd never hear! I bought a CD today with Brazilian songs on it (in Portuguese) from the novelas here (very much like soap operas, but they run 6 nights a week for 8 or 9 months and then they're over). All of a sudden I realized I was listening to "Poison Ivy" in Portuguese. I have to say that's the bright part of my day so far.

12 Days of Christmas, Part 3

On the third day of Christmas my mother sent to me:
A really cool scrub top with none other than Strawberry Shortcake all over it! Yes, I am 28 years old, and yes, I did like Strawberry Shortcake when I was little. And yes, I do wear scrubs to work here, because in the favelas, when we're doing our medical clinics, that's how the Brazilians know who belongs to the team. I'd wear scrubs in the US all the time if I could get away with it.

12 Days of Christmas, Part 2

On the second day of Christmas, my mother gave to me:
The Break-Up, with Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston. Haven't seen it yet. (Mom, are you trying to tell me something?)

12 Days of Christmas, Part 1

My mom is so much fun. She sent me a package with enough presents for 12 days -- that's been a tradition with us for a few years now. I realize that the "real" 12 days of Christmas don't start until Christmas night, but I would rather start now, because my Christmas will last longer that way (I'm having Christmas with some friends after they get back from vacation, after Christmas).
And so, without further ado....(drum roll)
On the first day of Christmas, my mother gave to me:
A little stuffed cow ornament that "sings Christmas carols in his own language!" I pressed the button that says "Squeeze My Tummy" and all of a sudden he started mooing (yes, mooing) "Deck the Halls." Needless to say, it made me laugh. That's my Christmas music for the season.
Thanks to Allison for the suggestion of posting pictures!

Funny sounds

As I am sitting here at my computer, I hear the unmistakable sound of a vaccuum cleaner and wonder who is dumb enough to have carpet here in Brasil. It's certainly funny to hear sounds that are familiar to home in a foreign land. As you know, carpet is a great insulator of homes in the US to keep the heat in during winter. It's getting to be summer here and while it's not even close to being hot yet, our homes are built of brick and concrete and our floors are covered with tile. That helps ward off the heat (and laying on the cool floor when it's hot feels so good!).

Paradise and more

I'm currently living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Rio comes complete with mountains and the beach and is home to the world's largest urban forest (which you would know if you watched the CSI: Miami episode that was set in Rio).
With that said, knowing that I live in paradise, there are other places I'd love to live (or at least just visit now and again):
1. London
2. Florence
3. Just outside London in a big country house (Think of the professor's house in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)
4. Australia
5. Greece
6. Cortona, Italy (the featured city in Under the Tuscan Sun -- it's just as charming as it looks in the movie!)
7. New York City (just to visit, not to live)
Maybe I'll get to all these places again sometime (and to Australia and Greece for the first time)....
Addendum:
In honor of Soj (you know I love you!), my only "continental" Portuguese-speaking friend, and others that I seem to have forgotten, I am adding to this list.
8. Portugal (and Spain, I guess -- I'd love to see the running of the bulls)
9. Egypt
10. India
11. Switzerland
12. Germany/Austria
13. Turkey (Should I go to Istanbul or Constantinople?)
Notice all the European countries on this list. Notice that France is not on it. I couldn't make myself like it the first time around (though maybe I could go visit the Louvre again.... Soj has graciously volunteered to be my hostess!).

Natal Igual

I went to church last night in Lapa (an area in Rio very much like Bourbon Street in New Orleans). A Igreja Batista Farol da Lapa (The Lighthouse Baptist Church of Lapa) is an amazing place with incredible ministries -- they minister to the homeless, prostitutes, transvestites, drug addicts, alcoholics, and anyone else that we would consider "down and out." During the Christmas season, they partner with several churches to throw a party for a certain number of homeless. Everyone comes in, the homeless people are able to take a shower and they receive a change of clothes and a new pair of shoes. There is a worship service and after the service everyone participates in a banquet as equals, for we are all equal in the eyes of the true King.

Domestic Goddess

As today is Saturday, I have been thoroughly unproductive. Except for my cooking. I love cooking because it brings out my creativity. Some people draw, some paint, some write, I cook.
For some reason last night, I began craving applesauce and remembered a friend who used to make applesauce all the time overseas. As I have no Christmas decorations (they're expensive here), I thought the smell of apples & cinnamon would raise the Christmas spirit in my apartment. It worked (and the applesauce was good)!

Advance apology

I apologize in advance to anyone who might ever ride in the car with me at any point during the rest of my life. It's not my fault I am learning to drive here in the concrete jungle that is Rio. A line from a song here is "Cariocas não gostam do sinal fechado." (Cariocas, that is, Brazilians native to Rio, don't like red lights.) If there's no one coming, why should one stop?

I finally got to go to the beach this morning. I am not the hugest fan of the beach, but since it's only 30 minutes away from my apartment, and since I am becoming carioca, I can't not go! It's just so much a part of the culture....

My friend J, who lives in the middle of the desert, is always complaining about the lack of grass where she lives. I must say that I thought about her this morning as I was walking to the bank to pay my phone bill. I know Brazil is supposed to be paradise and all (and it is!), but we don't have much grass here, either. They cut grass here with weed-eaters if it's a large patch, and if it's small, well, the hedge clippers come out.

Deal....or No Deal?

I don't know how many of you have fallen prey to the Deal or No Deal craze in the US (I must admit, I was often glued to the edge of my comfy chair in my mom's study waiting to see how stupid the person would be -- how is it that greed can overtake our best sense?). I was flipping through channels last night and saw a guy who looked very much like a Brazilian Gene Rayburn (who was once the host of The Match Game) asking the current contestant: Topa....ou não topa? I had to laugh.

Coffee heaven

So I know that there are other places in the world with good coffee, but I have stumbled into coffee heaven. Last night, a friend and I went "to shopping" (that means to the mall) and had cappuccino after dinner at Kopenhagen -- that's a chocolate store. They filled our coffee mugs up with chocolate shavings before they put the espresso in (and it melted the chocolate....), then they added the milk and foam to make it a cappuccino. And then we got to top it off with whipped cream (yes, we got coffee mugs full of that, too)! The good kind that's sweet, not just the plain whipped cream.
My friend Soj is talking about opening an imaginary coffee shop (complete with imaginary dog) -- I think it would be the perfect very real coffee drink to feature!