The Invisible Woman

This is a great lesson! I hope it blesses you like it blessed me.

Thoughts on the Presidency

I want to start this post by congratulating Mr. Obama on his new post as Commander in Chief. I didn't vote for him (or Mr. McCain), but I have tremendous respect for the accomplishments that he has achieved. Unfortunately, when I got on-line early last month to register for my absentee ballot it was too late. I missed the deadline by just a few hours. I am still disappointed that I did not have the opportunity to vote in such an important election.

In my opinion both Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain would make a good President. I believe that both have the respect of many, both love the United States of America, both have good hearts and both are intelligent and capable men. Having said that I also think that both men have flaws. But, to paraphrase the words of Jesus, who among us doesn't. No one is perfect, not even the President.

I have been appauled at the nonsense I have heard and read about both of these men, especially Mr. Obama. Americans are really good at pointing the finger and accusing others of all sorts of things. I honestly don't know who would be a better President between Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama. I will say though, that as a citizen of the United States of American I will support the current President, the next President and all future Presidents no matter their party, color or gender.

You may ask how I would go about showing my support. I am a Republican, but I am a Christian first. I believe in the power of prayer and I plan on exercising it on behalf of our elected officials and leaders. As a Christian I feel that I have the responsibility to lift Mr. Obama (or Mr. McCain had he won the election) to the Lord in prayer. Many people feel that Mr. Obama's ideas and strategies are bad for the country. Why not pray about that then? More than anyone, Mr. Obama needs prayers for wisdom and strength. He needs prayers for clarity of thought and courage. He needs prayers for conviction to always do what is right not just for the American people, but for all people. The greater percentage of Americans felt that he will be able to lead us in the right direction. Let's join together in prayer for this man and his staff and all the other leaders of our nation. I believe that his heart, mind and soul will be moved to always do the very best thing - to make the best decisions if he is constantly covered in prayer. Let's pray.

What I Will Really Miss About Brazil

As the time for our departure approaches I spend more time reflecting on my time in Brazil. I don't mean that I sit around dreaming the day away. I simply reflect and take in this 5 year experience. Over the last few days I have made a small mental list of what I will really miss about Brazil. Some things hold quite a bit of significance for me while others are just little perks. Here is my list:

• I will miss our team the most. For those who are still here, Matt; Paul; Kevin and Benay, I will miss you deeply. I can't even write this without tearing up. We have had some great moments and some really difficult moments. We have grown spiritually in ways I never expected. Through it all I am so glad that the Lord put us together. Please know that each of you will remain in my prayers throughout the years to come. I love you.

• I will miss our church family. I haven't gotten to know everyone in this particular group at the level I would have liked, but I honestly don't think that is possible. I will miss our time worshiping together and learning together. I pray that the Father bless you each with a special strength as you strive to know Him and His will for you and your life. I love you.

• I will miss the Salgado Family. My family has spent a lot of time with Claudio, Rute, Keity, Jenny and Lhaumar over the last couple of years. Again, just thinking about saying good-bye to this beautiful family makes me emotional. I will hold you in my prayers to the Father each day; that He will bless you and that you will each grow in your faith. I love you.

• I will miss all of our good friends: Dani, Alexandre and Ana Luiza; Milton and Julianna and their girls; João and Clarice; José Carlos, Paula and their family; Fabio and Thaís and baby Natalia; Tiago; Cesar; Paulo Renato and many more.

Okay, now that the ones that make me a bit weepy are out of the way I will hit the less emotional, but still important ones:

• day and over night trips to Gramado and Canela.
• churrasco (Brazilian bbq) - it can't be touched!
• the way Brazilians as a people love children. I appreciate so much how strangers treat Elisa and other children. I wish the world as a whole would adopt a love like this.
• the botanical scene. Our city's landscape is amazing. We have the most beautiful trees, plants and flowers. I will miss the nature in this city of 3 million!
• the local restaurant scene. Brazilians aren't into the chain restaurant thing as much as Americans are. I love the different places to go and how your palate can have a variety of experiences.
• believe it or not - speaking Portuguese regularly. I am not a great speaker, but I fear that I will lose some of my ability to communicate in Portuguese after we return to the States. I will work at keeping it up, but I will miss speaking it everyday.
• our car. We drive a Honda Fit and it has been great. We have never had a problem. Not one. I think we would ship it back to the States if it were possible.

I know I could probably think of more things, but this is all that really stands out. When the day comes I will say "tchau" or "good-bye" or "later on, dude!", but I will always hold each person in my heart. I will speak for Jennifer when I say that we have grown to be different people because of our time here. God has used our Brazilian experience to produce fruit for the future that we don't yet know exists! Isn't that amazing? Because of our struggles and our searching we now see things differently than we did when we first moved here in March of 2004. What we have gone through here is our stepping stone for what ever comes next. This has been a part of our journey that will take us where He wants us to go. I'm glad I will miss all the above things because that means that this has meant something - it will always mean something. Always.