In my last class through Piedmont we were challenged to expand the ways we communicate. That is why my Blog is alove again and I actually wrote a peom. A real poem. Not the kind you do for school. This was a challenge rather than an assignment. It took me a couple weeks to have the courage to share this, but here it is! So... What has the Lord been teaching YOU recently?

I TRUST

I whisper...

I have no more strength. I can’t go on.

Lord, You tell me…

My strength is made perfect in weakness.

And so, I trust.

I cry out…

The pain is too great! I can’t endure!

Savior, You comfort me…

This suffering can’t be compared to the glory that will be revealed in you.

And so, I trust.

I say…

I am afraid. My heart trembles.

Jesus, You answer…

My perfect love casts out fear.

And so, I trust.

I gasp…

I am alone. There are none who cares for me.

Father, You assure…

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

And so, I trust.

I despair…

The temptation is too strong. I cannot resist.

God, You promise…

I won’t let you be tempted beyond your strength; I will provide a way of escape.

And so, I trust.

I call out…

I am lost. I can’t find my way.

Lord, You answer…

My word is a lamp for your feet; I will guide you.

And so, I trust.

I murmur…

This burden is too heavy. I can’t bear it.

Christ, You assure…

Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you.

And so, I trust.

In every moment; in all the struggles… I choose to trust… and, Lord, you are there.

After working hard these last few weeks on a paper for my master's degree it was time for a little fun! We were challenged to use a new type of media and be creative. Well, there was no lack of creativity. Here is an overview of the basic rapture views. Thanks Kady for helping me out.

I think it is official. I am the worst blogger ever! But I just added this to my tabs that open automatically so let's see if I jot ideas down more often in the future. For now I am going to start something new- repeating each paragraph in Potuguese so more friends can read my blog.

Acho que é oficial. Sou o pior blogeiro no mundo! Acabei de acrescentar essa página para abrir automaticamente com meu browser para ver se escrevo mais no futuro. Mas agora vou começar algo novo, traduzindo cada paragrafo para que mais amigos vão poder acompanhar meu blog.

One of the biggest Highlights this year has been the trip to the ABRAC convention and Foz de Iguaçu with Jordana and Sabrina. What an amazing experience. We learned, grew, made new friends, and saw one of the natural wonders of the world. We even got to go through Argentina, but that is another whole crazy story!

Um tempo incrível desse ano foi a viagem para a convenção ABRAC e Foz de Iguaçu com Jordana e Sabrina. Que experiência impressionante! Aprendemos, crescemos, fizemos novas amigas e conhecemos uma das maravilhas naturais do mundo. Até passamos por Argentia, mas isso é outra história louca!

Below are a few pictures of the trip and also the gals I am doing discipleships with. Please meet Ane, Sabrina and Marcela (4th picture); Mariana and Julia (8th picture); and Gaby and Sabrina (last picture). I will have to talk about our Bible Sudies another time. Time for bed.

Em baixo são algumas fotos da viagem e a mulheres com quem estou fazendo discipulado. Apresento Ane, Sabrina e Marcela (4a foto); Mariana e Julia (8a foto) e Gaby e Sabrina (última foto). Vou ter que falar mais sobre os discipulados em outra vez. É a hora de dormir.

I think it is time for an update! I am thankful for the safety the Lord has given as I have traveled over the last two months. This month will another of intense traveling. March I was heading east starting on March 3rd from Eureka, CA. I ended up in Springfield, IL for the BGFM Spring Banquet. It was encouraging to visit at the home office and see some of the other missionaries again. Then Helio and Shirlei Souza joined me for the next several weeks of traveling. It has been an adventure as they discover the US and the great variety of people, climates, scenery, and food we have in our country. After two weeks in MI we began our travels west. So after this week we will hit the west coast next Monday. I am super excited that I will see my parents again in a few days. A special thanks to every one who has hosted us along the way. These have been unforgettable weeks sharing memories and fellowship. Here are a few pictures of my adventures on the way over the last two months!

with the family of God.

So, I made it to the US and had two weeks of running with Juliane as we visited Northern CA. It was a fun time of adventure as we visited Eureka, Sacramento and San Francisco. There were great friends who opened their homes to us- Thanks Dan and Jill Driesenga, Victor and Barb Arnett, and Wendy and Tom Ciaramitaro. We were thankful for the warm, sunny weather though that did mean the snow in the mountains melted before we could make it up there.

Now I am in the week of getting things together for visiting churches. It seems like there are a hundred little details to take care of, but each day I just ask God to direct me to get done what He wants for that day. It has been special to have these days with my family in Eureka, CA. March 3rd I'll be on the road and begin seeing all of you! See you soon!

Seeing freinds (Hi, Emma!);

Finally arriving after 24 hours of travel;

Capital Building- Sacramento, CA

San Francisco, CA

Redwoods- North Coast


There are so many more pictures I could share with you, but we'll just have to get together and I'll show you in person.

I can't believe it! In two days I will be boarding a plane to the US for 7 months of furlough. These years have flown by fast. This time I return a graduated accountant and a year older. Lots happened in this last week. I will just have to wait until my return to Brazil in September to pick up the diploma and certified accountant card to prove the accountant part. I really miss being a part of the Teen Carnaval (Get away) Retreat and our Annual Church Family Camp at Easter. Instead I will be traveling with Juliane, my English student, around Northern CA and then spending time with family in MI. Special moments. Moments to treasure. Just hold on folks I'll be there soon! Just need to survive the whirlwind of the last two days first!

Happy New Year! Praise the Lord for His abundant mercies and grace during the past year. Can't wait for the adventures  of knowing Him more in the year to come. How about you guys?