Mission Conference in Caldas Novas

A couple of weeks ago Mario and I spent a week in Caldas Novas (about 3 hours from Goiania) for a Missions conference (there were about 900 people participating nationwhile, and many of the missions in Brazil were represented (including YWAM). 

This is a well-known Brazilian anthropologist and missionary named Leorardo Lindorio. He is always very profound in his preaching.

I actually did not participate directly because I went along just to rest and get away a little bit, my parents also went, which was really nice...they kept Lucas entertained and I got to relax! Unfortunatly, because I wasn´t there, we didn´t get many pictures of the event. Sorry!

Lucas playing in the suitcase in Caldas Novas...

... and literally getting into everything!

Here he is at the pool enjoying himself and Grandpa very much!

It was such a nice relaxing week!  Praise God for times of rest like these that renew our strength!

And back at home...just some cute pictures so show how cute he is every day!

...a little stroll in the wheel barrel  to the neighbors to buy some plants for the garden...

He is already showing signs that he will be a great helper in the garden!

....but if not, at least one other talent is starting to stand out...his love of music!

Christmas cookies and Babies

This year my mom and I decided to restore an old family tradition making and baking Christmas cookies. My favorite cookies are Gingerbread men so we made some of those...

 And my mom pulled out my great grandma´s German cookie recepy, and we had fun with those too...

 Look at all those cookies!!

 Here´s me at 9 months with a belly full of flour!

  rolling out the dough...

 The cookie cutters are from the States, because cookies are definitely not a Brazilian tradition, but I am sure my neighbors will enjoy getting them anyway!

 Ready for the oven...

 Yummy!

 and some sugar cookies just for variety...

 The first ones came out nice, but by the 50th cookie I decorated, I was ready to be done!

 And this is our Christmas tree. We are planning to plant it in our garden later...

 my mom made this center piece, which we put on our brand new table! After 6 months living in our new home, we finally we able to get our table! Lol

 ``Let it Snow``...it´s kind of a joke because it´s impossible in the hot December summer of Brazil!

 Everything is ready for Christmas now...including Lucas´ room...just waiting for him to arrive any day now!

 My mom had this old sofa bed at home, which we painted white and she covered with new fabric to match the room (I made the pillows)....looks perfect!

 I also made this mobile with felt animals. It doesn´t play music or spin, but it looks nice over the crib...

 Grandma Braun also made this blanket for Lucas...

 and I made this sock bunny out of an old sock...There aren´t that many options for baby stuff here in Brazil, so you kind of have to be creative...

 The staff of the base also planned a baby shower for us. It was actually a ``diaper shower`` (so all the presents were diapers, which I hear, you can never have too many of!). To deserve the presents, Mario had to prove he is ready to be a dad (Rodolfo, who has a 6 month old little boy, gave him some pointers).

 and the diaper was actually full!!!.....

of chocolate cake that is!

 and to show he is prepared, Mario demonstrates what to do after the baby eats...

 Rodolfo´s wife, Viviane, planned the whole party for us, and at the end blessed us with a prayer for Lucas...

It´s going to be a wonderful Christmas!!!
Maybe the best of all time!