Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Paintball adventure!

This weekend Erich had a party to go to for his friend Fredrick's 14th birthday. They got to play paintball and Erich had a blast! He was so excited to tell me about it Sunday night when I talked to him!

School is going well - report cards come soon! Stay tuned! I am anxious to see how his first semester at The Graded School went!

Thanks for reading!

World Vision

Today I got a letter from Brazil... but not from Erich. You see, since I didn't have more kids, God has blessed me with opportunities to change the lives of less fortunate kids through sponsorship (World Vision). If you click on the title of this post, it will take you there and you can see the amazing things World Vision does. I sponsor 3 boys (Michael from Peru, Nicholas from Guatemala, & Jhonnathan from Recife, Brazil) and 1 girl (Julia, South Africa). They are all nearly the same age as Erich but all at different grade levels. World Vision is gracious enough to translate the letters we send back and forth. I have sent them small gifts - like stickers...

Anyway, the letter I received today was extra special. On many occasions when I get updates about "my" kids, it is written by a World Vision missionary. This letter from Jhonnathan was handwritten by him - the first I have received in his penmanship. Plastered with stickers that I have sent him and on the back of the two pages he wrote was a great pencil drawing he did of the school yard - complete with a soccer net (one of the boys in the drawing looks like Erich - his shirt says "USA" on it), Jhonnathan is also pictured, in a t-shirt with a Brazilian flag on it. His drawing skills have come a long way since I first started receiving them. Jhonnathan, despite being 13, is in the 4th grade.

Here is his heart-wrenching letter (as translated by World Vision):

Hi dear Sherri,

We are very happy to have you as our friend. Thank you for the stickers! My sisters (Jennifer and Deborah) and I love them. I send a hug to your son and love soccer too, like him.

My sister Deborah and I have a dog called "Pipoco," a cat called "Serafim" and a fish called "Mel."

I take part in capoeira class (a Brazilian form of martial arts/dance) at the Project (World Vision facility) and I'm very excited, because my friends and I always do capoeira. It's very nice!

It's great to have your love! I live with my sisters, because my dad passed away when I was 8 years old, and my mom passed away, when I was 10 years old.

I send a strong hug to you.

From your friend, Jhonnathan. I love you forever.



On the handwritten copy of Jhonnathan's letter at the bottom he wrote those words in English. The words "I LOVE YOU FOREVER" in all capitals. Just seeing them makes me cry. Sometimes I wonder who benefits more from sponsorship... these kids or me. :)

Can you imagine if these 4 kids come to know the love of Christ, just by small donations each month and a team of people that make huge sacrifices to be with them? To know how much Jesus loves them? To know that because of what these missionaries do they get school supplies and immunizations, along with clean drinking water and things they wouldn't otherwise get? I hope someday I meet them in Heaven and I can thank them in person for the impressions they have left on my heart forever...

Sorry, I get carried away. I tried to scan the picture he drew; but I'm scanner challenged. heehee.

Friday, March 27, 2009

A selfish post...

I got to talk to Erich last night - maybe only because his dad made him (I called there). I hadn't talked to him since the 8th. I had gotten a one-line email here or there, but not many good conversations... nothing really new to report - school, friends and weekend trips... still, none of their things have arrived. It's all in Brazil on a dock somewhere. Getting closer!

I struggle with feeling like I am out-of-sight, out-of-mind... like I've 'lost' him. I know it's just downright retarded of me to think that way and admittedly, I am happy that he is happy - because if he was miserable there I'd feel pretty helpless. But every once in a while I sink into these little pity parties I have for myself... I am sure all parents of near teenagers 'lose' their kids as they grow more independent and push more boundaries... if he were home maybe he'd have me drop him off at school a block away as the stories go. I'm no longer 'cool' or 'hip'! :) Whatever happened to those days when I was the BEST MOM EVER???

I am reminded of a song by Mark Schultz called "When You Come Home." The lyrics follow. I cannot read them or listen to the song without thinking of Erich and crying... Erich - when you read this and get to the chorus (in bold) - know that these words are exactly how I feel. I am always here - no matter how far. I am sure you'll roll your eyes and say "whatever" but for all the moms out there than can relate, here is a great song:

My first day of recess
They all laughed at me
When I fell off the swing set
And scraped up my knee
The nurse called my Momma
To say I'd be late,
And when she gave me the phone
I could hear Momma say
"I'm so sorry, son. Oh I think you're' so brave"
And she was smilin when she said:

When you come home,
No matter how far,
Run through the door
And into my arms
It's where you are loved,
It's where you belong
And I will be here
When you come home

I waved good-bye through the window
As I boarded the plane,
My first job in Houston
Was waiting for me
I found a letter from Momma
Tucked in my coat
And as I flew down the runway
I smiled when she wrote:
I'll miss you, son,
You'll be so far away
But I'll be waiting for the day

When you come home
No matter how far,
Run through the door
And into my arms
It's where you are loved,
It's where you belong,
And I will be here
When you come home

Well, I don't think
She can hear you now,
The doctor told me
Your mother is fading,
It's best that you leave
So I whispered, I love you
And then turned away.
But I stopped at the door
When I heard Momma say,
I love you, son,
But they're callin me away
Promise me before I go

When you come home,
No matter how far,
Run through the door
And into my arms;
It's where you are loved,
It's where you belong,
And I will be here
When you come home,
When you come home

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Erich's Humanities paper

Not sure if this is the final draft or not but it's a neat story... Erich has agreed to let me post it here:


Why we need computers

Jimmy hit the print button and rushed out the door, the bus, at the curb almost revving its engines.
"Sorry I'm late; I had to print my homework" Jimmy said to the bus driver. He walked down the middle feeling embarrassed for being late. He sat down next to his friend Michael and put his hands in his face.
"Ah, I'm so tired"
"Yeah same here, I had a basketball game last night. I didn’t get home until 9:00. I could barely do my homework." Jimmy sat and looked outside for the rest of the ride.
"Attention class!" yelled Mrs. Lance, Jimmy's language arts teacher. She was about 6foot 3inches, brown hair and not the best age to be teaching, about 65. "Today we are starting a new curriculum and we will be getting more work more often. We will be working all class today on an essay and then it will be homework due next Monday." Jimmy nervously thought; I've never needed to study for tests before, or do an essay for homework.
"You will be given a subject to write on. It needs to be three pages long at least. I will call out the names and your subject: Angela: astronomy, Nick: Soccer, Daniel: Carnaval, Pablo: Physics…" Mrs. Lance called them off one by one. Jimmy waited for his name until he got what he wasn’t expecting. "Jimmy you get: Robots." Jimmy had no prior knowledge of robots, what he thought of robots were: I used to play with one when I was young, I just cranked it up and it moved its arms around and walked.
Later that day he didn’t know what to do, so he went to go play with his friends and he said he would do it tomorrow. And even the next day he set it off, and again, and again, until Sunday night 7:00. He couldn’t believe it. So he started to write it, step by step, he said
"Ok what can I do to learn about robots? I can go to the library and I can get a book. But my mom won't take me because it's too far away. Umm..." he waited five minutes, thinking so hard he gave himself a headache and gave up. He went to school the next day and said he doesn’t know how to do it.
"Jimmy do you know how to use a computer?"
"No not really, I never seemed to need it before."
"Jimmy, you know there is internet you can use to look it up, to get more information."
"Really? But how will I put it on paper?"
"It's called Microsoft Word. It lets you write down anything you want, except instead of writing you can type it."
"Wow thanks"
"Come after school and ill show you how to use it."
So later he went to the school computer lab and Mrs. Lance told him just about all she knew about computers. Soon enough he could create his own website. Now Jimmy can do his homework.
That same day he spent 4 hours looking up information and putting it into speech. He even drank coffee for the first time. When he finished, he had at least five pages worth of information. He even had to go to bed because his eyes hurt from being fixed on that screen for so long. The next day he felt like he had just won the Oscars. He went in with a smirk on his face, thinking he created an invention. 2 minutes until class starts, Jimmy had been sitting in his seat papers out and ready to hand it in. Class started and immediately Mrs. Lance called for the papers and Jimmy's, of course, the first to go in. Of course he got an A++ and later on when he got to high school he created some of his own websites. He got a degree in technology and in became rich making computers and designing video games. Even started his own company.

Monday, March 16, 2009

More Portuguese fun

Hmmm, well - I guess I should eat my words now... I have been blessed this afternoon with some great conversation with Erich via his iPod/internet connection. I was asking questions and he was responding in PORTUGUESE! There is a great tool out there compliments of Yahoo called Babelfish. You can copy the garbley-goop (aka Portuguese) into Babelfish and select Portuguese to English and walla! It translates it... Here are some of the things he said to me regarding his study session with Ignacio this weekend (and the translations)...

Estudamos ciência prova que é amanhã.

We study science test that is tomorrow.

(at this point I asked him to confirm the translation)

Sim, o teste é chamado de uma busca.

Yes, the test is called a search.


Pretty cool stuff...

As an avid reader of my blog I'd like to say thanks, Erich - for sharing some Portuguese and great conversation with me today. You made my day. Thank you too, for allowing me to share your TERRIFIC humanities paper (to be posted tomorrow)!

Portuguese iPod?

Erich took these snapshots of what a couple of his iPod menus look like translated into Portuguese...






This week Erich was very busy with schoolwork. He seems really well adjusted to the move, the new environment and culture both at home and at school. Consequently, I hear from him less and less. He wrote a great paper for humanities that Krysten shared with me and I've asked his permission to re-print it here... stay tuned!


Sunday, March 8, 2009

More great progress at school...

Erich played only one of the three softball games the Eagles had yesterday... he had a few hits but played left field and said he didn't get any hits out that way...

Here is a note from Erich's World Geography teacher about Erich's progress so far:

This note is just to let you know that Erich is doing very well in World Geography. He is a curious, participatory student who has always something interesting to share during our class discussions. He has now a solid B with a strong potential to become an A by the end of the quarter. I will keep you posted.

GO ERICH! :) Wish I was there to celebrate with you!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Progress Reports and more softball

Today, (Saturday, March 7), Erich has three softball games. I hope to be able to share the outcome of those this evening! In the meantime, I wanted to share some notes from Erich's first progress report from The Graded School of Sao Paolo. I am so proud and humbled that God is with him and giving him such peace and the true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity he had hoped for...

In Portuguese:

Erich seems very well adapted and comfortable in his PFLA group (Portuguese). He is increasing his participation in class and starting to speak out more during the activities, which is great! I expect to see that happening more and more, so the learning process can be consolidated.

And this from his Art class:

Current Academic Grade: A The focus of instruction in ART II is on three-dimensional design. The students are introduced to Ceramics in order to model, construct and carve clay while applying design principles to their projects. The expressive and functional nature of clay are explored as well as the design potentials and limitations inherent in this material.

We started the quarter with an Identity project where the students were asked to create a mask to portray different aspects of their personalities. Erich seems to be well adjusted to our routine and has worked well with clay. He is a hard worker and is almost done with his second project! (Coil project) while many of his classmates just started!! It has been a pleasure to have Erich in this class!

:) My heart is overflowing! God is so good!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Friends...

Erich and his new best friends...

Thursday, March 5, 2009

ESPN moment...

I spoke to Erich on Tuesday after his softball game... he only had 1 at bat and didn't get a hit but made (almost) 2 catches... he was playing left field and a ball sailed out to left center and Erich dove to catch it - it hit his glove but he wasn't able to keep hold of it. But I could hear the ESPN play-of-the-game jingle in my head as I imagined him diving to make a great play!!

Erich was back to school this week after a week of Carnival vacation similar to winter break here in the States. Erich got to pick electives for his last semester of 7th grade and he chose guitar. (Hmmm - Mr. Slaughter, his former History teacher may have had something to do with this perhaps? or being an expert at Guitar Hero on both the Xbox 360 and the Wii???? for the record, I cannot complete even ONE SONG on easy mode before getting booed off the stage!). ROCK OUT Erich - or whatever it is that's hip and cool these days... I'll light my virtual iPod lighter (an application Erich and I have on our iPod touches that looks like a real flickering lighter - that when you shake the iPod closes the lid on the flame). You know I'll be your #1 fan!