It's been one year
Today is the aniversary of my arrival here in Belo. I can't believe that it has only been a year, it seems so much more than that. And in this year that has past, so much has happend, so much has changed and God has done so much in me and through me.
I will never forget that first day here. I was picked up at the airport by friends, I had so much luggage it's a miracle it all made it. I went to my sister's house, and later that day all these people showed up for a suprise welcome home party. There were old friends, some I've known since I was a kid, there where new friends I had met durring my visits to Brazil in previous years and then there were even people I didn't know. I will never forget that day, nor the faces as they stood there and sang to me. What a special way to welcome me back, needless to say I can't remeber ever felling so welcome.
Today that welcome still remains, I can feel it in evey greeting, in every hug, in every set of three kisses (the offcial brazilian greeting), in every smile, in every story they tell me, in every conversation I have. I am welcome here, not as an outsider, one who comes to observe, but I am welcome here as one that belongs, who has a special place, one who will always have a place here. I am so thankful that God has chosen this place to be my home for this time. It is trully a precious gift from God to me.
Thursday Night was Spagetti Night
Thrusday Night we gathered up some friends and made a huge big pot of
Spagetti...
This was our kichen help.... they made some great food...
Everyone ate... there was plenty to go around...
Polly and I helped serve the food and soda...
Then there was the faithful clean up crew... it was a very special night, a great time of fellowship with friends.
You would think saying good bye would get easier...
Today we took my parents to the airport after their month-long visit in Brazil. Now in my life I have had to say good bye at least 27 times to a family member, but still every time we say good bye that heart wrenching pain is there.
I'm not complaining, believe me, I understand how each good bye produces a far greater reward in my life than I could ever imagine at that moment. I am lucky, I know, I've said many "good byes" but they all are followed by a "hello" sometime later, while some have to say good bye forever. In the old days when missionaries went out into the field they took their possessions in coffins, knowing only their bodies would return. Today it is a different story; we have the option to fly just as frequent as our pockets allow us. But still the pain of separation, even if only for months or even a few years breaks my heart.
I am a part of such a priviledged family, we have in each other friends, I consider each one a true friend. The kind of friend that holds up our arms when needed, that will laugh when we laugh and cry when we cry, a friend that will choose to say the truth and point us in the right direction. So, sometimes I wonder, if God made us such great friends, why separate us? The answer is simple, because our friendship isn't limited to time or to space, our friendship is eternal. We don't have to spend every day together, or even special days of the year to keep our friendship going, we are the Proverbs 17:17 kind of friends, even when we are miles apart.
My dad always jokes about how you can choose your friends, but your stuck with your family. I'm gald that God stuck me with
my family because they are the greatest friends I could have ever have chosen.
I love you all very much, Dad, Mom, Dave, Nat, Munga, Pap-pap, Rachel, Reanto, Matthew and Marcus - you have all been true friends to me, and for that and so much more I will always be thankful!
Love you,
Missy
To Start Out
Hello Everyone!
I decied to start this blog as a fun way to keep family and friends updated on what is going on in my life, as I continue to Follow God's perfect plan for my life.
Currently that plan has sent me to Brazil, to a beautiful city called Belo Horizonte in the South-east of the contry. I moved here exactly a year ago this January. I live here with my older sister and her family.
I hope you enjoy reading my blogs, comment on them whenever you want and come back again to see my updates.
God Bless,
Missy
