Sunday, April 12, 2009

Pictures from last weekend

I got some incredible photos yesterday from E's stepmom. Some are from their own backyard and others are from their trip to Ilhabela. Here are a few for your enjoyment...

Hope you all had a blessed Easter!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

A thought for Easter

Thinking of Easter and the Passover (the Last Supper)... nearing Jesus' death and resurrection.

We all know this scripture (John 3:16):

"God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life." (New Century Version)

Now read it again - this way, inserting your name in the blank:

"God loved ________________ so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life."

Powerful stuff...

Ilhabela

Well, Erich, his dad, step-mom and 1/2 sister had a great time in Ilhabela. Erich's favorite thing was the beach... I guess the beaches there (well, most of them) are super crowded... full of chairs and tables and people... the Brazilians loved to be waited on... not our idea of the beach... getting away to relax with as few people around as possible! His dad described it as similar to St. Lucia; a mountain that sticks up out of the ocean with beaches along it's coastlines... I haven't been to St. Lucia, but I got the picture. There wasn't a lot to do so of course Erich got bored. But all in all I think they enjoyed getting away.

Erich gets his report card today or tomorrow. I have been praying that his test in Math went well today and he could lift his grade some. Oh, and they received their air shipment of things they sent down in early January. Glad they sent it by air. It's been 3 months. Yikes! So they received clothes and books and things they might need first. Funny thing is, the rest of their belongings, (furniture and such) is in Brazil as well - and should be to their home sometime next week. It's almost like the tortoise and the hare story... although the hare wins this time (but barely). Erich is so excited to get his things. To sleep in his own bed and WATCH TV and play XBOX 360! ;)

Erich is also looking forward to coming home in the summer. I am hoping to have a big birthday celebration and welcome home get-together for him. He returns as a teenager. Can you fathom? Erich will be 13!

I had a great talk with him yesterday. I think mostly I talked. But hearing his voice makes my day. I can't wait until they have their p.c. and webcam hooked up. So I can see him while we talk. Just the thought brings a tear!

I have been trying to keep this blog all about Erich and his adventures in Brazil. I am praying for God's leading regarding starting another blog about my own personal adventure through all of this, and other things... maybe. We'll see. It's good therapy for me though... To write. Maybe make someone laugh. And to share Erich's journey. Has he only been gone 3 months? Not even. Phew. A little more than 2 more months to go.

Be blessed.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Erich's weekend plans

On Friday, school let out after a 1/2 day. Erich, his dad, stepmom and BrieAnne are heading to Ilhabela - an island off the coast of Sao Paulo. He is looking forward to a weekend away and the creature comforts of a hotel (like t.v. maybe?)... I am excited for them to be getting away. It's Krysten's birthday on Monday; what an awesome birthday gift!

Above are some photos and below is some information on his exciting adventure ... maybe they'll take some photos I can post here as well.
The town of Ilhabela ("Beautiful Island"), founded on the Ilha de São Sebastião in 1532, is 228km/142mi east of São Paulo and (by ferry) 7km/4.3mi from the town of São Sebastião, on the mainland across the channel of that name. It has preserved from the colonial period the principal church (1532), part of the town walls, a number of old cannon and some fine sugar-cane plantations, the first to be established on the north coast of São Paulo. It is now one of the most popular tourist resorts in São Paulo state, thanks mainly to its impressive waterfalls and beautiful beaches.
With snow being predicted for Monday it's easy to wish we could all be there!