Christmas is just around the corner

Yes I know. It isn't even November yet and I have talked about Christmas at least twice. I just wanted to update you on what we are doing. In Barcelos, we are using Bible verses as a kind of play. The big plus is after the play all the kids will have memorized a lot of verses.

In Povoa, we will be doing a play with the teenagers about the women in the family of Jesus. This has always facinated me how God used women that others would shun to bring the perfect Son of God into this world.

In Braga, we are having an international Christmas and singing Silent Night in 6 different laguages, English, French, German, Romanian, Spanish and finally, Portuguese. We have representatives of these cultures and more in this congregation.

I have also been busy translating 'Passion and Purity' by Elizabeth Elliot, the Satan's Traps notes, and a set of trivia questions from a Bible Trivia game. The Game is for the teenagers to help them learn more about the Bible.

I would really like to hear what you are doing for Christmas.

Wow Where does the time go?

The last two weeks have been a bit challenging. The last full week of September I attended a Fundamentals of the Faith conference in Southern Portgual. It was a great time of fellowship, singing and preaching. The theme was 'If God is for it then I am too!' There was preaching on music, doctrinal separation, life, marriage, and many more. Each pastor that preached did a great job. I was able to see friends I had not seen in some time and meet more friends that I did not know I had.

On the way to catch a ride to the conference, my car engine stopped in the middle of the highway. I was able to get to the side of the road without incident but it was very scary. I attended the conference and put the matter of my car in God's hands. When I came back, I talked with the mechanic and he told me that the car was just so much junk and that I would be better off getting a new car. SOO to make a long story even longer, I now have a new car. I thank God that no one was hurt when my engine stopped working and that I have a new car so quickly.

On a more personal level, I am busy with translation, knitting for Christmas and Christmas play practice. I am also busy training my kitties. They are such wonderful company but also a lot of work. Oh well, that is the way most worthwhile things are. Hope you all are enjoying God's blessings!

Well the flu came, then it went

Thank you for all your prayers for the campers and I. We were quarentined for about a week and had to take the awfullest medicine I have ever put in my mouth. It was like chewing up asprin, then putting it in water and swallowing the mixture. As I said absolutly gross. (shudder, shudder)

Anyway, I am happy to report that all of us are doing well. We made it through the quarentine with our health intact. So thank you for praying for us.

Camp and The Aftermath

Camp was great this year. We took 36 campers to camp with about half of them unsaved, when we came back from camp that was no longer true. Just out of our group 8 had received Jesus as their personal Savior and many more from our group dedicated their lives to the Lord. That has been the highlight of camp. The lowest point came after camp when several of our campers were diagnosed with Gripe A (Swine Flu). Many of us including myself have been confined to quarters and medicated for the next 5 days. I personally do not have the disease but they are taking no chances that I may develope it because I was in contact with it. Please pray for us as we go through this time of testing.

And now for what you have been waiting for... Pictures!!

Christmas Already!?!?!?

Nina teases me about thinking about Christmas already but as a knitter you have to think ahead especially if you have a big family. This year I have been working on Christmas presents since April. (Yes I realize that these are last year's presents but you didn't think I would tell you what I was doing did you?)
I am also starting to think about what we will do this year for our Christmas program. Usually I would start the process in September, but as I may also have to translate or even write our program, I am starting now. Yes, I know that is funny but hey you have to do what you have to do. So ... any suggestions on what I could do for Christmas. I really like to add the Gospel into what we do. It may be the only time that some people will hear the Gospel.
I would like to show you my favorite of the new pictures of my niece. She just turned a year and is soooo sweet (no, I am not prejudiced). She looks a lot like the other three. Espcially the baby on the end. Can you guess who they are?

My Babies

Yes I know I have not blogged in a while. I have been busy with the work here. But I just could not help but post about my new babies. My coworker's cat had kittens on June 1 and as they were haveing trouble finding homes for them I offered to take two. I have only had dogs growing up but I think that cats would fit in better with my schedule. No WALKIES!! These two were soooo cute that I just can't resist them. The light one with black on the ears and paws is Smokey and the striped one with the white belly is Lyra. Aren't they cute!!

Proud of My Brother

At the end of March, my brother graduated from UTI in Houston with a degree in Auto Mechanics, Diesel engines and Ford FACT (this means he is Ford certified). He did an excelent job and I am certainly proud of my brother. Here are some of the pics from his graduation. He was awarded an award from UTI's military counsel. He is currently serving in the Army National Guard.




I also recently received some new pics of my niece. Please forgive me as I am a proud aunt and show off my niece.