sunset on the beach

Up at 6 in order to be ready for Drew to pick me up for English class. These adults really want to learn, and the class is even more fun than yesterday. 2 of the 6 from yesterday return, along with 4 others I haven’t met. Today we continued conversing with each other about locations of places and their relationships to each other. “The barber is behind the coffee shop”, etc. Lots of laughs. Sueli met us here because afterward we’re going to look at an apartment Drew and Sueli want to buy after they are married, which should be within the next year, or sooner, depending on Drew’s extension of visa for Brazil. He has lived here most of his adult life until the last 7 years when he was in Spain teaching English. After 5 years out of country, one loses one’s permanent citizen status and needs to re-apply for permanent residence. Brazil allows dual citizenship, and since he’s from England, he also has a British passport. If he uses that one, he doesn’t need a visa for the States.
When I applied for, and received, my visa for Brazil, I noticed this time the indication is that it’s good for all travel within the next 10 years. Much different than my trips 20 years ago, when each time I came, I had to apply for a new visa. I asked Drew about it and he said Brazil plans to eliminate all need for visas very soon. Joy! Cut out several exasperating steps of the process!
The apartment was closer to the ocean, and very nice...but as it was not completed yet and all open, we had to ride the construction elevator – ok, it was a cage – on the outside of the building. Of course just because everything was all un-enclosed, it had to rain! But we don’t have any more “important” appointments for the day, so I guess “rain hair” will have to do. Though it was foggy, I still had pretty good views of the long beaches. I hate that it’s so cloudy because at night I can’t see the southern cross constellation that only occurs here and not north of the equator.
Sueli left for work and we took our usual lunch at “the gathering place”...Marta’s apartment. Today it was just Drew and me...Lourdes and Carlitos had gone to Recife for some medical appointments. Lunch is always the same – the biggest meal of the day (which I like) – and consists of a nice salad, usually lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes. Olive oil and vinegar are set on the table. Penha makes scrumptious, tender liver. (ok, everyone who just said “ugh” doesn’t get dessert tonight!)
There are pieces of chicken and also ground beef besides these delicious liver pieces. Always, there is rice and black beans. Here in the north, one puts the beans on the bottom and tops it with the rice. Since my first several trips to Brazil were to the south (Sao Paulo, Rio, Curitiba, etc.) I learned to put the rice on the plate first, then the beans. So, I usually say Eu sou Paulista (I’m from Sao Paulo). It’s not quite as heated an argument as the Gators vs. the Seminoles, but comes close!
Here one would take a coffee mid-morning, but not usually at lunch. The lunch beverage is usually fruit juice (cashew, one of my favorites, maracuja – passion fruit juice, strawberry...here the list of fruit juices is seemingly endless). Occasionally there are potatoes and yesterday we had manioc prepared just like boiled potatoes. It’s sweeter and a bit softer than the potatoes. There is no dessert.

Back at Shalomir’s apartment we both tried to get on the internet but it kept failing. Who knows? (makes me feel right at home...we’ve actually had far quicker and better connections here than Terry and I do in GA) Since I’ve always got several books to read, I’m fine. Drew needed to skype with some business associates so he was frustrated for a while. When Sha returned with Renan (they arrived to lunch after we left) we all left for the mall, where she had an appointment with the “landlord” of her milkshake shop. Drew and I each had shakes...mine was nutella and he had “Creme de Papaya con liqueur de Cassis” (papaya cream with Cassis) and I think that’s my next choice. Mine was good, but his was heavenly. Renan, at 7, has already figured out some things about my camera that I’ve never known. Scary. He loves to take pictures so he played around with the camera, being very careful – and also my Droid phone. At one point, he asked me in Portuguese, though his parents are trying to teach him English as well, “where are the games?” He enjoyed looking at some of my pictures of the cruise, Terry, and Meisha and Max.
When Sha’s meeting was over we headed to the beach to walk for a while...Bessa beach. They’re all pretty, but this is one of the favorites. From the beach, we drove to the river - praia do jacare - (alligator beach - but no, there were none) where our intention was to watch the sunset. Though it had poured in the morning, by this time it had cleared up. Drew found us a spot at one of the little restaurants on the water and Shalomir, Renan and I walked through the little artisan kiosks there, where I bought some necklaces and 2 hats. Why? Terry asks...because I needed more necklaces and hats. (doesn't everyone?)
Sunset was less than spectacular because the clouds had rolled in, but we had some nice crab balls and guarana and listened to the guy who plays saxophone to Ravel’s Bolero every evening just at sunset. Searched all over the internet for a name, but couldn't find it. If you just google Ravel’s Bolero sax player at sunset in Joao Pessoa, you can see what we saw last night... 3,884th presentation.
Hurry home to change and go to Cidade Viva, first for a meeting with Rosinha about her work in the orphanages, and then for the church service, which began at 8 and ended around 9:30. Everyone was hungry so we stopped at a Japanese Restaurant for sushi buffet (little 7-year old Renan loves sushi!) before bedtime. Having dinner at 10 pm makes it more difficult to sleep, but I always figure I can sleep on the plane going home. Maybe.

Sunday...leaving Maragogi

Woke a bit earlier this morning to pouring rain. As I tried to quietly get my book, Marta again greeted me, (when she first wakes up, she begins spouting off in Portuguese a mile a minute and then realizes who I am and speaks English) but this time since she‘d gotten back to the room at 2am, she was going to try to sleep longer. No problem...I’m in the middle of a good book, so went out on the veranda, listened to the rain and read for an hour before I got good and hungry (and in need of some of their delicious strong coffee). Waited for a lull in the showers and walked between raindrops to the restaurant. I just love that God created so many colors, tastes, and textures, especially in the world of fruits. Had to try one of everything, plus this morning there was juice of maracuja (passion fruit) and mango juice. Who needs orange juice when there’s all this other colorful and tasty stuff to eat and drink?
On my 3rd cup of coffee and after hearing almost an entire BeeGees CD, Marta walked in and had a bit of breakfast too, before we took a very long (2 hours??) walk on the beach. Hopefully the rain had passed, though this morning was so gloomy and rainy I wasn’t so sure. We had both English and Portuguese lessons in the sand, (she writes better with her toe than I do!) gathered some seashells (like I don’t have enough at home from all over the world!) and just enjoyed creation together. We’ve known each other for at almost 20 years...lost contact...found each other on facebook, so we can be talking all the time, (I’m sure this is a huge surprise to those of you who know me well) or we can be silent. Either way, it’s totally comfortable. She is the mother-in-law to Drew’s daughter Shalomir, whom I’ve known since she was a little girl, and Marta’s son’s name is Michael, like mine. (my youngest biological son).
By the time we got back to the resort (I think we walked nearly all the way to the town of Maragogi), the sky was clearing and the sun was getting quite hot, so I changed and read by the pool closest to our building. There is one long, winding pool that runs the entire depth of the resort, from reception to the last bar before the beach and then a couple of others to either side of that one...well thought out and just begging for Kodak moments. Marta finished up some business and began rounding up the kids. Lunch was just a quick bite before I got my bags and came to the reception area, only to find out the bus driver is still 2 hours away! I guess nothing has really changed in Brazil since the last time I was here. Meeting times are merely vague suggestions.
Just outside the lobby is a lovely thatched roof gazebo...actually, it’s a really big outdoor room with comfortable wicker chairs, settees and tables all around an information desk in the center. Since the lobby is not air-conditioned, (or they just don’t turn it on in the winter) I decided to come out here to do the blogging...though it’s probably about 85 degrees, here in the shade with sheer, white billowy curtains I’m enjoying a delicious breeze. When the gal came to work the desk, she turned on some music and the first song I heard was “Here I am to Worship.” The background music in all the buildings here has been a curious mixture of 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s American pop/rock music, religious, and Brazilian.

Turns out we didn’t have to wait as long as we originally thought...driver arrived only about an hour late, so we got on the road, this time up the east coast instead of the inland route Drew, Sueli, and I endured. I'm on the right side of this luxury bus - no, really...this one is very nice...comfortable seats, curtains on all the windows, a TV monitor for videos that actually works...all this and air-conditioning too.
Shortly after we set out, we picked up 2 hitch-hiking soldiers...dropped one off halfway to Recife and the other right in the city. Along the way were more lush, green-covered ‘lumps’ (see previous blog) of earth...lots more sugar cane, palm trees and banana trees. As we neared Recife we could tell there’d been a big rainstorm...puddles everywhere, adding to the horribly pot-holed highway – the luxury of the bus doesn’t quite make up for the terrible bumps. Apparently Brazil DOT is nearly as effective as that of many of the northern US states!
However, bright spot – serendipity – of the day was the FULL rainbow on my side of the bus. Sometimes one just catches a little glimpse of ¼, or maybe ½ of the bow, but this one was bright, full, and “followed” us for quite a few kilometers. Thank you God for color and beauty, and the good sense to appreciate it!

About 6pm our time, I just had to hear Terry’s voice, so I called him for a few minutes till I lost cell coverage. It’s such a blessing to have that man’s voice, so happy and enthusiastic, answer the phone, every time I call, even if it’s just from “the green room” (my office on the 2nd floor of our home) to “the media center” (his office in the finished basement...otherwise known as “the best room in the house” if you’re talking to son Bobby.
We talked for just a few moments, lost connection, and then I called him back when we made a pit stop in a little restaurant along the way. The kids all bought something to eat, but Marta and I had dinner waiting in JP (Joao Pessoa), so we just snacked. Arrived in JP sooner than I thought, and Drew and Sueli were there to pick us up, take us to Marta's apartment to do a quick change and then out to dinner at the best shrimp restaurant in the city. We were meeting Helio, the doctor who volunteers every Monday at Cenca to care for the people there. We all had a good conversation about health and the how the government either is useless or has a case of right hand not knowing what left hand is doing. (sound familiar?) There are supposed to be programs in place for the poor to get free or radically reduced prescriptions, but even if the paperwork is filled out, when you take it to the governmental office, they claim to have no knowledge of it. Ahh, bureaucracy.

They were right...the shrimp dish we had was creamy and wonderful. We parted after dinner and Drew and Sueli dropped Marta and me off at the apartment with the instructions to call in the morning. "Late morning".

If it's Saturday, this must be Maragogi

What does it say about me that I always sleep much better when I’m in another country? I had a great rest and awoke around 7:30 Brazil time...6:30 “body” time, which, for me is sleeping in. I moved slowly and quietly to get out of my bed, and Marta said “Bom dia”. Guess she was already up and just waiting for me. We made our way to the restaurant, where we had the most glorious array of fruit. Besides seeing my friends here, 2 of my very favorite things about coming to Brazil are...no great time changes...during DST they’re just one hour ahead of us, and all the exotic fruits. I’ve seen some of them at the farmer’s markets around Atlanta, but some are still found only here. There was the usual watermelon, papaya, and kiwi. We can sometimes get goiaba (guava) but it’s not nearly as good because here it’s just hours from being picked ripe. As a rule, I avoid pineapple because it’s rarely very sweet. But the pale slices lured me in and their sweetness only made me want more...juicy, too. These are wild pineapple (ananas) in contrast to the cultivated ones (abacaxi). Cashew fruit (yes, fruit, with the nut attached to it) is an acquired taste, and I enjoy another called pinha (“peen’ ya”) that doesn’t have a translation. There was graviola juice...also no translation.
Drew and Sueli joined us about an hour later and after we had all eaten as much as we could (10 days of this kind of eating???) we all decided to walk on the beach. The tide was out so we just meandered toward the coral reef, which creates a natural boundary. There are many places called piscinas naturais – natural swimming pools, which occur when the tide goes out just a little and there are hollows in the sand that retain the water. It’s warm and clear, though the sand is dark and dotted with seaweed and driftwood. Guys drive around in dune buggies, hawking rides all the way out to the water...I’ve done that and it’s a lot more fun in the sand dunes of my favorite beach, Genipabu, in Natal.
When we finally turned around to come back - ooops - we noticed the tide had come in a bit – fortunately not terribly high, since none of us had swimsuits on. Before we made it all the way to the beach, it began to rain and by the time we got to some semblance of shelter, it was pelting us pretty hard. There were quite a few people by the bar so we all crowded as best we could, ordered some fishcakes and beverages. We stood for quite a while, drinking, but never receiving our fishcakes. When questioned, the bartender said, “oh, we didn’t make them.” No other explanation. Gotta love the communication here.
Since it was lunchtime, we all just decided to eat some real food – Drew and Sueli needed to get on the road, so we didn’t linger long. With hugs and kisses (we’re going to see them Sunday afternoon) they drove off, and Marta and I came to the reception area for the only available internet connection, sat here for longer than I imagined and had a coffee and some “sweeties” before she got tired and went back to the room. When I finally left, it was late in the afternoon, but still time to read on our veranda before dinnertime. Marta is an excellent tour guide and checks on her “children” (a group of 17-year-olds on holiday from school) very often, hanging out with them, going to the pool, gym, being a good mother hen.
Dinner was good, and the array of desserts just too enticing to ignore. I try to take just one bite’s worth of each flan and torte because they’re all delicious. After dinner we sat in our air-conditioned room and she “introduced” me to the projects she’s working on...she’s been working with female prisoners, teaching them English and the Bible, but that work will pause for a while, as she’s stretched much too thin. Her main work is called Cenca, where hopefully my team will come and help renovate in October. There she takes girls and women off the street and teaches them a trade like making jewelry, cutting hair, manicures, sewing, and, in the future, cooking. They learn English as well. Marta’s heart is probably bigger than all of Brazil and another love of hers is working in the slums. There are orphans and also kids who have parents, but no place to go during the day, so we’ll be able to go and meet them too. She is just one person and I sincerely hope that reading this might help ignite a fire that will bring us together as a team to come alongside her.
When I’d seen every picture on her computer we decided to watch some of the show in the outdoor theater of the resort. Evidently the young people working here are also given the double duty of being the “singers” and dancers in the show, and quite obviously the costume budget was a little less than that of Disney World (ok, a LOT less). But they were definitely enjoying themselves and loved being able to entertain us. The big thing is the fog machine...in between every number was the exact same music, same length of time, and lots of fog! Milli Vanilli has nothing on the one gal who lip-sync-ed to an American song but kept forgetting to keep the fake mike close to her mouth. Afterward, they invited everyone to come up and take pictures with them. You'll be very surprised that I declined.
Sleep came easily to me...Marta went out to spend some time with her kids again.

que supresa!

From the time I arrived in Brazil everything has gone smoothly. Well, sorta...well, let's say it's already been an adventure. But then again, I think that in some language somewhere, my name means adventuress, so I'm lovin' it.
Finally got a guarana (my favorite soft drink ever) on the TAM airplane. Saturday's arrival in Recife was picture-perfect. Except for the fact that Recife is not a very pretty city - it's as if someone just kept putting up unimaginative, ugly buildings with no thought of creating a skyline. My passage through customs and immigration was uneventful, with a smiling Drew and Sueli on the other side.
We grabbed a quick hamburger at Bob's in the airport and got on our way...south! South? Joao Pessoa is north of Recife.
"We have a surprise...it's a good one." Marta, who teaches in the university and works as a tour guide during holidays, has brought a group of teenagers to Maragogi, a resort on the sea. In Brazil it's considered a 5-star resort (www.miramarmaragogiresort.com). Que supresa! (what a surprise!). Because she's the guide, she can just add people to her tour, so she added the 3 of us. I'll go back to Joao Pessoa with her and the group on Sunday afternoon. I like Brazil! I haven't done any work yet and I'm getting rewarded with a nice resort stay.
But let's talk about our route to get here. Recife is in the state of Pernambuco and this resort is in Alagoas. We were told it was just about 30km over the border. Each state in Brazil has its own borders and taxes are collected from the trucks each time they cross into another state. Along the way, there was gorgeous scenery. I would say mountainous, but I don't think the height qualifies them to be mountains. However, they are larger than hills. It's as if God just stirred up very lumpy "earth batter" (wouldn't you know I'd relate it to cooking?) and just drizzled it over the area. All over these very high lumps there grows sugar cane. Kilometers and kilometers of it, with occasional banana trees for added visual texture. Sugar cane, of course, is used to make the alcohol/ethanol for gasoline. For quite a while we drove without encountering any oncoming traffic...only to be stopped by a huge traffic jam. Yes, in the middle of the countryside. As is often the case, people get out of their cars and trucks and begin talking with others along the way. We discovered there was an overloaded sugar cane truck that had broken down on the one-lane bridge about 1 or 2 km ahead. So we sat for almost an hour. However, Drew, ever the resourceful guy, drove further ahead...intending to, shall we say, cut in the line? About 20 minutes after we made our move, we saw the first oncoming traffic...about 5 cars. Then it was our turn, and because of Drew's decision, we were in the first group of 6 cars (we were second to the last!) that went over this one-lane bridge, hastily erected by the army...just wide planks across with a few going lengthwise. Behind us were probably several km of cars and trucks and it would have been a couple hours' wait had we stayed way back in the line. I think they were going to alternate sides, 5-6 vehicles at a time. Say it with me now, "cutting in line is a good thing."

[Brings back the eerie memories of one of Terry's and my trips to Brazil, when we had to fly to Caracas, Venezuela and then come in to Brazil on an overnight bus through the jungle. Of course it's blacker than black in the jungle at night. Every once in a while we would slow down considerably and then bump along for a while, then speed up. It's probably better that we had no idea what was happening, because later, we discovered that the slow-downs were due to rivers or deep gorges where we crossed wooden make-shift bridges similar to this one - only not built as well, sometimes only the 2 planks lengthwise...and no sides!!! The bus driver just had to keep the wheels on those planks! Then there were the soldiers who boarded the bus and came straight to the 2 Americans - pointing machine guns at our heads...well, we've had some adventures.]

We crossed the bridge into the state of Alagoas, thinking we had just about 30 km to go. Wrong. We just kept driving and driving...no cell phone signal so they were unable to call Marta...but I love how helpful everyone is. We stopped and asked people several different times and most of the time their directions agreed. The number was more like 70 km! At one point, one man told us that the road ahead was out, but a farmer had allowed some of his sugar cane to be cut down in order to make passage available. In the states we usually have several options of getting from point A to point B. In other countries, many times there is only one road with no other roads crossing it for miles and miles. So if a road is out or under construction, you might just have to turn around and go hours out of your way.
We found the way into the field and drove along, 12-ft. sugar cane stalks on either side of us. By this time it was dark because sunset begins around 5:30. It had rained sometime during the day here so already there were deep ruts in the still gooey mud. Hard to believe, but we again encountered a "traffic jam". This time only about 5-6 vehicles on either side of a really big quagmire where a heavy truck had sunk down to where the back wheels and the back end of the truck were entirely covered with mud. I'm wondering how he ever got out (or maybe he's still there) because it was just a bunch of guys with some ropes and smaller trucks with no chance of decent traction! Drew measured the space between the truck and sugar cane and figured we had just enough space to squeak past, so we decided to go for it. Of course one needs to keep one's foot on the gas lest one also gets stuck in the mud! I'll usually take on any driving challenge, but let's just say I'm glad I was not the driver in this case. When we finally arrived back on the main road, almost 6km later, it was so potholed that we had to slow down tremendously so as not to break an axle or get a flat tire...some of those spots were canyons! Think about it for a minute...black night outside, no street lamps, no towns, very few cars at all, no gas stations...you get the picture. I was glad I had not drunk too much water at lunch.
We arrived at the resort at almost 7pm, after leaving the Recife airport at 2:30, and were greeted by Marta, waiting in the lobby...we hugged and she apologized to me for such a stressful arrival. Stress? Who, me? I was laughing and taking pictures the whole time. We got our little bracelets that allowed us to do all of the activities, dropped off our luggage in our rooms, and met for a delicious dinner, after which we all went to bed. All except Marta, that is, who went dancing with her tour group. Sleep came very easy to all of us.

ATL-MIA

Checked one bag...ouch, I know...last time I checked a bag was 2 years ago on the way to Greece... didn't see our bags for 6 days, the exact length of that portion of our trip! So the last evening when we received the bags, I figured I should just change outfits 6 times to show everyone what I would have worn if we had had our luggage!
Everything went smoothly again...thanks for your prayers. I feel lonely for Terry already and hope he finds lots to do while I'm gone. Sometimes I ask friends if they'll call or invite him to lunch or dinner while I'm gone...this time I didn't do that. He does have weekend gigs in Nashville to keep him out of a bit of trouble, but if you're reading this and live in Canton, you really should give him a call or invitation! Or invite yourselves over to Lake Arrowhead. Tonight there's a parade and fireworks, and I'm not sure what else will be going on over the weekend and on Monday, the 4th. But I do worry about a man who thinks that 2 tablespoons full of peanut butter is a balanced meal! 10 days of that may find him dropping a few pounds, and then I'll really be jealous!

Just sitting here at the gate with everyone else in various stages of the waiting process... reading, conversing, listening to whatever on their ipods, eating, or just plain looking bored. Some of these people have perfected that one! No afternoon storms thus far, and the indication is that the planes are on time. (don't they always say that to lull us into a false sense of security???)
This was by far the most peaceful leaving I've done...(minus the visa stress of yesterday)...the packing was finished days ago, with little last minute changes, and we had a leisurely lunch before figuring we'd just go. Guess it was a good thing, though, because going through the heart of Atlanta there was a ton of traffic, though we never could figure out the holdup. Uneventful rest of the drive. Terry parked so he could help me get my bags in...you know how he never lets me carry anything at all. We have walked through airports with him carrying 4 big bags and me carrying my little handbag! I always feel like the princess...and of course he's my prince, for whom I am forever grateful.

I am really excited to be returning to one of my favorite countries (well, I've yet to find an UN-favorite one!), and to be digging in, getting ready to do some work to further the kingdom. I am appreciative of your prayers...many comments on facebook. Thank you. More tomorrow, I hope.

I'm going to Brazil!

Today was the long-awaited visa appointment, complete with not a few qualms about even receiving it. I've had several different experiences with consulates who "forgot" about the appointment or just decided they were not going to grant one that day. I've also been at the border of Czechoslovakia (years ago) and the border guards refused us entry...because they could. One might ask, "why did you wait until the day before you were leaving to do this?" And my answer would be because today was the first available appointment from the time I applied for the visa, 2 weeks ago. Since it's not possible to talk to a live person, one just applies online and takes the appointment given on the site. Besides that, the only time the application can be filled out is when you already have your travel date and tickets. I had been waiting on a few others whom I was hoping would travel with me. Don't know what I'd have done if anything had gone wrong, because the tickets were non-refundable. Thank you Lord that it all went off without a hitch.
I'm appreciative of all your prayers, because I was called early to the window, did not need every piece of paperwork that was requested on the website, and after a nice lunch date with Terry and wandering around the Phipps Plaza (a bit deserted), at 3:12 pm today I got the visa that will allow me to travel back and forth for the next 10 years. The 3:12 is significant because both Terry and I were raised in homes with addresses of 312. We're sentimental saps, so every cause for celebration is seized with enthusiasm. The dark chocolate Reeses peanut butter cups tasted extra good today!
We left Buckhead about 3:30-ish, and the drive home was easy and traffic-free. Oh yeah, since this week is "no toll" week, we breezed right through the toll gates both going and coming! Nice little extra serendipity.
Since I'm all packed...yes, really, down to my vitamins and Max-GXL...I can make a scrumptious dinner for my hubby and we can relax and enjoy our last evening together for the next 10 days.
I would appreciate prayers for more smooth journeys...flying out of Atlanta tomorrow afternoon with a couple hours in Miami, then on to Salvador...few minutes on the ground and finally to Recife. Drew (good friend for the last 20 years...helped me with the adoption of Caroline and Alan) will pick me up and we'll drive a couple hours to Joao Pessoa, my home base for the next 10 days. Lots of info to gather, pictures to take, details to iron out, and hopefully back in late October with a building crew.
More on that later, but if you know anyone who's ready for a mission trip, either alone, as a couple, or as a family, keep watching for more information. We're going back primarily to renovate and add on to a girls' home and another building, but we'll also need people to play with the kids too.
My mind is settled and peaceful, just like it always is when I know I'm doing something God has clearly laid on my heart. Everyone needs someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to. This week, I've got all three and feel extremely blessed.

on the road again...

Ok, so not quite yet, but in less than a week, I'll be in Joao Pessoa, Brazil, one of my favorite places on this earth. I know I'm called to minister to the orphans and I love that calling.
Having adopted and raised 14 internationally adopted orphans, my calling kept me at home for most of their childhoods. I loved that too. For a couple years, I did teach elementary school, but once the children began arriving (4 by birth also), I was so thrilled to be able to be a stay-at-home mom so I didn't have to miss any of the fun! Yes, it was fun! I have to admit, I've never had a "terrible two"...I always called it the terrific twos because I was having such a good time. How is it that no matter what I'm writing or thinking about, it always comes back around to my kids??? Guess that's where my heart's always been.
But, back to the trip. Hopefully all my paperwork will be proper and acceptable when I have my appointment at the Brazilian consulate in Atlanta on Wednesday...because Thursday I leave! So, I'd appreciate everyone's prayers for things to go smoothly because there is no margin for error!
This trip is somewhat exploratory, though I've been to Brazil many times and this particular lovely place a couple times. There is a girls' home that needs updating, renovations and additions, so my "job" is to take pictures, measurements, interview Marta, who runs this home, and find out exactly what needs to be done. I'll then bring all this info back home to our church, The Red Sea, and recruit some men who will go back with me in October to do the building. Though I've led quite a few tours, beginning in high school when I worked for a travel agency, I've not done a builders tour, so this is new territory for me. But as Terry always says, "since when did that stop her?" I'm just naive enough to jump in with both feet and think I can do anything! Of course one of my favorite verses is "with God, all things are possible." (Mark 10:27)
For today, that's all, because there is last-minute shopping to do, packing to organize, and writing homework to finish before I leave. Thank you for praying with/for me as I make the final preparations for this trip.

Paris

What Sunday lacked in just about every area, Monday gave back beaucoups! Left the airport on the Air France bus to travel the peripherique toward Porte Maillot....even at mid-morning, the traffic reminds me of Orlando, LA, Chicago, take your pick. When we arrived at Porte Maillot, we began the walk down Ave. de la Grande Armee toward Charlotte's apartment....past my favorite store, the Peugeot store...I always have to stop and drool at the new ones because if I could, I'd own one. Love that car.
At the corner we turned, went past the Patisserie, smelled all the wonderful breads, then a block to Rue de Bois de Bologne, turned left to #11...pushed the button (release for door) and went in. Spoke with the manager (in French, of course) and got Charlotte's apt. key as well as a package that I recognized was from her mother. Decided after all the walking/running we'd done yesterday that we'd take the lift up to the second etage...the 2 of us could barely fit with our wheeled carry-ons...there's no way to get furniture in the lift, so instead, it must be carried up the winding staircase! No A/C because most of the buildings are so old.
Charlotte's apt. is familiar because Terry and I stayed here last year for about 4 days for our 10th anniversary while Charlotte was traveling.
Having dropped everything on the bed and surrounding floor, we decided the first order of business was to eat something substantial...after the horrid meal (a first, I'll admit, for Air France) on the plane. Changed out of our jeans into something cooler and didn't want to go very far since it was already about 1:30, so we just walked to Le Touring Cafe, on the corner across from the Patisserie. Sat outside, ordered one salad and 2 chicken plates and some San Pellegrino.....ahh....one gets so parched from plane travel. Rested our weary bones and then went back to the apartment to get walking shoes.
Walked to the Arc de Triomphe and climbed the 274 (yes, we counted) steps to the top where we had an incredible view of all of Paris...and of course the 10 streets coming out like spokes...remembered when Terry and I got married 11 years ago and he had to drive around the Arc...as Charlotte's mom Elke said "you just have to go! Do not wait because that will cause a crash. It's better to keep going fast!" Thought my new hubby was going to have a heart attack, but as you can tell, we're both still here. Great driving and very good advice. It's when one pauses at a right-of-way that one is most likely to cause an accident.
Took tons of pictures and I pointed out all the landmarks of the city.....walked down again and by this time it was almost 7pm so we just decided to come back home. At least we didn't waste away our first day with naps! (which, by the way, would have been the worst thing we could do.....Terry and I always try to stay up the entire first day no matter how tired we are, and it always evens itself out with a great sleep the first night.
Back at the apt., we showered and dressed for dinner...waited for Charlotte to come home and then when she did, we walked to Chez Clement, the wonderful restaurant we'd been to last year...there's only one entree, delicious meat with an incredible sauce and frites (fries)....a light greens salad, and then a choice of desserts. We had a demi of red wine with the meal, and then for dessert, ordered a meringue, ice cream, meringue, ice cream and whip cream covered with chocolate.......and profitrolles. Oh yeah. Now we're talkin' All the dieting I always do before an overseas trip? Wiped away with just the first meal (or better to say the first dessert). Strolled leisurely toward "home".....it's completely safe here even late at night (which it was...about 10:30), sat for just a few minutes and talked before Charlotte sent us to bed......and slept really wonderfully, even with the noise of the people in surrounding apartments. Rain in the night woke us up for a bit...closed the windows that were wide open....so we wouldn't get rained on (no screens...not necessary). I was up around 8, just as Charlotte left for work but "the queen" (don't tell her I said that!) slept in till 10. While I waited for her to wake up, I went to the Patisserie for pain chocolat, came back and made coffee, and I guess that's when I blogged about the airport mishaps.

I just re-read this and realized it's been a LONG time since I've been able to connect. We are now in Montreaux, Switzerland, and boy do I have a lot to write about! For now, adieu and I'll be adding more soon.............

Delta airlines???

Ok, just for future reference, will someone please offer to slap me the next time I want to fly Delta? This LONG saga has tales of delayed flights and [very] RUDE agents. We were at O'Hare with plenty of time for our flight. Not checking bags, because I've already recounted more long tales of lost luggage! After we checked in and got through security relatively hassle free, we should have KNOWN something was wrong....but about 30 minutes before our flight was supposed to board, we saw the board quietly change itself to a departure time that was an hour and a half later! No announcement, not even a "ding" like when they're about to make an boarding call. No explanation. So one or the other of us began to wait in a line to ask an agent......but Sunday must have been the day for every flight in the US to cancel or delay! Really. There was a group trying to get to Laguardia that literally stood (or should I say leaned full force) on the counter for 45 minutes. No exaggeration. There were only another 8-10 of us also wondering about OUR flights, but the gate agent did nothing to help anyone except for the party of 3 people monopolizing her time. Like...the rest of us were paying customers as well, and possibly we were missing potential re-booking because she couldn't just give us equal time. If anyone works for Delta (or knows someone)...I'm sorry for you...this rudeness was rampant all through the entire Delta concourse. Debbie and/or I tried to ask several other agents about our flight... everyone curtly said "you have to ask the agent at your gate!"...which, of course, we did NOT have!
I decided to call Delta and after several attempts got a woman who tried to re-book us. Gave us a flight to Cincy (same connection as our original) and then a connection through O'Hare! and then on to Paris. I'm just thinkin' here, why do I want to fly to Cincinnati, only to turn around to come back to O'Hare for a flight to Paris??? I speak the truth, I had to explain this to her 3 freekin' times. My sister is rolling on the floor beside me in hilarious laughter. I managed to make my "friend" on the phone see the ridiculous-ness of leaving O'Hare only to return several hours later and said "why can't we just stay here and THEN take the flight to Paris? Oh, now there's an idea. What she did not tell me was that we needed to go to the international terminal. She just said she had re-booked us on a Delta flight. Somehow I found one agent in the whole concourse who was nice enough to look up and treat me like a human being...she said, "oh, that's operated by Air France - you need to go to the other terminal!" Well, thanks for your help. Finally someone with solid info. We realized that now we just might have to hurry a bit...went outside security, found the escalator to the trains, which, as the agent standing there told us, come every 4 minutes. Except the one we needed. Seriously? After spending all that time trying to find someone to help us, now we're in danger of actually missing the flight??? Train arrives, we get on and ride FOREVER to the other terminal, where we sprint up the escalator to get in the security line. We now have 25 minutes till the flight. Get up to the security person, who says we have to get new boarding passes...all the ticket counters had been empty when we ran past them. We protested and another agent told us to bypass the line and come straight to him on our way back and he'd "whisk" us through.
Running back to the Air France counter, where there were now 2 agents, there was a lovely woman who listened to our explanation and immediately called the plane to hold it. Ah...of course...Air France is operated by courteous people!!! What a concept. Being that it's the "Paige girls" (as we are referred to) the boarding pass machine is out of paper. I do not kid about this. The agent is very nice, but has trouble loading the cards into the machine. Now, we know they're holding the plane and all, but still, how long will their patience hold out? She hands us the passes, asks if we have any serious emotional connection to our previous boarding passes (also a sense of humor? almost too much to handle in one day...) which we do not. We take off running again (needless to say, this is seriously aggravating my plantar fasciitis) and find the agent who told us to come to him for immediate help. You may not believe this, but when we got there, he said, "just let me check these children through, they're going to Poland" (yes, we have Polish ancestry...however in this particular situation, we failed to see how that was more important than our flight leaving in 8 minutes) We waited for a minute or two, but even as we stood there, more children got into the line! We lost count at about 30. Debbie, who isn't particularly known for her assertiveness, says to me, "we're not doin' this" and promptly cut across 2 lines to - yes - "jump" the line to be first. You go girl! Now we've got to take off shoes, take out computers and liquids...and...I wish I were joking, but just ahead of us there were 3 20-something gals who practically unpacked their entire suitcases and then had about 3 jackets each to remove...we considered crashing the metal detectors but then realized the consequences of that would truly make us miss our flight. I get through first, begin putting on my shoes, and hear my name "would the Jill Winch party please proceed immediately to your gate?" Oh, ok. We were thinking of getting coffee first! Like..... we had just made a career of running through airports!!! We get to the gate and onto the plane. Took our first real breath since we started this whole process...found our seats and they were the last 2 in the section, against the bulkhead. (as in, they will not lean back for sleeping?????) This is one of those, "am I here?" moments. Before sitting down, I asked the attendant if there were any other seats available that would lean back...she, of course, told me we had to get in the air first, but she'd check.
We were in the middle of the row so each of us had to step over someone. (would this story be any good without that little tidbit?) The asian lady on my side wasn't too happy and made it difficult for me to get into my seat. Which, as you may surmise, made it more difficult to get out again when the attendant came back a little later to tell us there were 2 other available seats.
We moved, thinking these people will never see us again anyway, which probably made all parties very happy. Looked at each other and said "we're on our way to Paris!"
Flight so uneventful we were a bit bored after our day's experiences...(NOT!) Good dinner, not a great selection of movies...less than desirable amount of sleep. I always think that the other people who seem to be sleeping must be pretending just to make me jealous!
Sometime during the night as I woke up to go get a drink of water, I saw some pink light and realized, if it's a Monday morning sunrise, we must be in Paris! (isn't there a song something like that?) Cabin lights were turned on and breakfast began to be served. Ok, maybe it was only something LIKE breakfast. I've had some great meals on Air France flights. This was not one of them. Not even in my imagination (which is quite fertile sometimes). Their coffee is traditionally terrible, and the sour yogurt and hard roll seemed more like prison rations than food. (cutbacks everywhere I guess).
Once on the ground, we walked...s l o w l y....toward the passport control. Thank the Lord we had not checked any bags because at this point, there's no telling where they might have been. For now, we had all the time in the world and didn't intend to hurry for at least the next couple of days. Had a long wait...who cares?...some fun conversation with a young single mechanical engineer whose company was sending him here for 3 months to work (he thought he could get the work done in one and then travel around the country for the next 2...smart guy...cute too...where is my niece Mandy when we need her?) Once Deb got her first ever passport stamp, we were officially in France! Bienvenue at Paris.

made it to Chicago

Well, after 4 days in steamy TN (stayed in Franklin with good friends the Madge clan....loved every minute of it, as usual), I am in Chicago. Saturday was the biggest launch of a new product that I've ever been involved with...morning at a health fair at the Galleria Mall...handing out the MAX N-fuze vitamin drink & talking to people about the new ATP energy drink! I, for one, am thrilled about N-fuze because now it's much easier to take on a flight....used to be packets of a gel drink, great tasting but difficult to have to add to that ever shrinking quart zip-loc bag one needs in one's carry-on. Well, especially if you're me, who has had the doubtful "luck" of having luggage lost for many days....several different times! One time in Romania my daughter and I were without our bags for 6 days. I know THEY say to put an extra change of clothing in your carry-on. Who has room for this? Fortunately we were staying in the apt. of a dear lady who would have loaned me some clothing, but she was much shorter than I....each evening we washed our outfit, hung it outside on a line, then put it on again in the morning. In case you're thinking we enjoyed this, you're dead wrong. When the bags finally came, what we were the most excited about was the big bag of M&Ms!
3 years ago on our way to Greece, Terry & I were delayed on a flight out from Philly....causing us to miss our flight in Rome...forcing us to spend the whole day wandering around Rome (an extra little side "excursion" we had because the rest of the tour went straight from Philly to Athens).....we, of course, "made lemonade" and enjoyed every minute of it! .....the next flight to Athens was 8 hours later and I'll spare y'all the ridiculous-ness of our asking about our luggage at every stop, and having agents tell us they "were sure" our luggage would be there too....I'm sure many of you have "been there, done that". We both had our instruments, so it was necessary to check our suitcases. Flight left Rome a couple hours late (for no apparent reason) and when we finally arrived in Athens, it was after midnight, and of course the airport was for all purposes, shut down. Tracked down someone to ask about the bags and after going through that stupid useless exercise of checking which picture your bag resembles (where DO they get those pictures anyway? No bags look like that!), he gave us a phone number to call....ah, how very reassuring. With nothing else to do, we took a taxi to our hotel, the Hotel Stanley (seriously?) and checked in. Asked the guy behind the desk if there was someplace we could get something cold to drink (as it must have been about 150 degrees, although it was 1am) and he directed us to a roof restaurant (8th floor). We stepped off the elevator, bleary-eyed, willed our feet to take us to a table, looked up and saw the most glorious view of the Parthenon all lit up! We each instinctively rubbed our eyes and looked again, thinking this could have been some sort of Disney-esque mural. Nope, there it was, making us forget the almost 36 hours it had been since we left home. Since we were on a tour with the Nashville Praise Symphony, we had coordinated clothing to wear at each concert....well, that is, everyone but me and Terry. Fortunately there were enough people close to each of our sizes that we were able to borrow some things to wear...every morning, afternoon and evening making an attempt to call the number the baggage agent had given us, with never an answer! (gee, what a surprise) 6 days we checked with the front desk personnel to see if anyone had delivered our bags. We were only there for 2 more days as it was....I was upset because I had made some great sale purchases of some of the shirt colors we had been required to buy, and though the monetary value of all the clothes wasn't very high, the deliberate attempt to be as thrifty as I could seemed wasted because all (it appeared) would be lost when we left for home 2 days later. Each day the temperature was over 100 degrees....and the A/C units in each room didn't seem to work very well. (rendering it impossible to wash out clothing and have it dry to any degree by next am) We ended up changing rooms for a couple of degrees' difference. On our return after playing in the Plaka the 6th night, we walked into our room and nearly stumbled over our 2 bags! I did tell everyone the next morning that for that day and the next (our last) I was going to change clothes 4 times a day just to let everyone know what I would have worn! So, unless I need to use my violin as one of my carry-on bags, I usually try never to check bags.....Terry and I have gone all over the world with just carry-ons.....but it's pretty impossible to do if you have to take an instrument.
But, as THEY say, I digress....Southwest had a nice new (or refurbished and painted) 737 last evening for the flight to Chicago, which arrived about 30 minutes late. Just as we were to touch down, the pilot quickly pulled back and accelerated...one of those queasy stomach feelings...for another go-around. I was not near a window so it was difficult to see, but later found out there was a plane on our intended runway! So where in the world were the Chicago traffic controllers??? (hmmm, could they have been out getting energy drinks full of chemicals and caffeine??? perish the thought! Come to me for some all-natural, good-for-you, world's first and only "on-demand" energy drink...MAX-ATP.....minor commercial for a great company) Happy to be on the ground, carrying all my belongings in 2 bags, (at only about a zillion pounds each!) I got picked up promptly by Ken and driven the 30 miles to my sister's house! Yay! Stayed up way too late but didn't feel tired, (fueled by the ATP I had at the Madge's in the afternoon) we caught up, checked in, discussed final additions or subtractions to our bags, and finally hit the sack around 2-ish, I think, although Deb's light was on much longer.
Who knew I'd wake up knowing I couldn't go back to sleep at 4:30? Since Jacob (my nephew) had to leave for work at 5:45, I thought I'd come out, hug him goodbye, make coffee and write. The cup is 3/4 full, sunlight is coming through the haze and the trees, and the birds are already serenading me. My sis and I are great animal lovers, so I love to watch all the "critters" she entices to her yard with bird feeders, dishes for the squirrels and rabbits, and birdbaths everywhere.
I sure do wish I had gotten more sleep.

oh yeah

For those of you who read my blogs from Romania, you probably remember the big deal I made about my potted plants, and how stressed Terry was to not let any of them die! Of course, he did a perfect job, and all the plants not only survived, but thrived beautifully....we've already eaten beans, lettuce and tomatoes, and of course lots of fresh basil, rosemary, parsley and cilantro!
Suddenly it dawned on me last week that with both of us gone.....I'll be in Nashville for the first part of Terry's international travel, and then after we both return to the states, I'm staying in Chicago for 4 days while he has another gig in Nashville.....so it's over 2 weeks that we're both gone from the mountain.
Problem solved!!! We have a lovely neighbor Deborah, who will be watching the house and watering the plants while we're gone. She enjoys working in her own garden so she joyfully agreed to help with ours! I appreciate her cheerful attitude and friendliness, because, to tell you the truth, the rest of the people in this mountain community haven't been the least bit outgoing. I'm a people person and I love to connect, not just communicate, so you'll always see me smiling and waving if I pass you in the car. Down at the mailbox when we get out of the car.....no one even looks us in the eye! No kidding. We always say hi, and sometimes someone will respond in kind, but still continue looking down or at the mail in their hands. I think both Ter and I have been taken aback a bit by this "closed" behavior because both of us love to be friendly....whatever.
I've been in Franklin since yesterday....drove Terry to the Nashville airport and then came back to Franklin to stay at our good friends Troy and Rhonda Madge's home. They're coming back from Salt Lake City tonight.....so I've been here with the kids. What fun I'm having! Today, after doing a few necessary errands, I came home to just Rachel and her friend Grayson....they wanted to put on a play for me about Tinkerbell and asked me to record it. It was hilarious! They each had to be at least 2 characters, and at one point, dear, sweet Star (the family's rescued husky) had to endure wearing the fairy wings because the girls needed 3 "people" in one of the scenes! I hope the camera didn't shake too much as I was laughing. Star is purely a lover, not an actress! But she walked around the "stage" (prompted by treats) to suit the girls' vision for the scene.
I do miss those days with my own kids. My favorite time of year was June thru August, and I was the one crying when school started up again. This family has truly "adopted" both me and Terry and always makes us feel SO welcome when we stay. I walked in with a couple bags, and after Taylor hugged me, she asked if I had any more bags in the car to be carried in! She is so full of the beauty of Christ and it's very evident in her actions.
I haven't heard from Terry yet, but I'm sure he's arrived in Paris. They were to be picked up by bus and taken to the UK, so I'm certain there aren't a lot of "internet" stops along the way. Unless someone has an air card.....
Each day it seems my sister has another question....it's so fun to be planning this trip together and I think I've said it before, but I will probably enjoy seeing everything through Debbie's eyes even more than my own experiences! She and I always do a LOT of giggling.....it's pretty contagious, and wherever we are, people usually end up laughing with us (or is that AT us? Oh well, as long as they're laughing.....)
But, it's time for me to crash. I'm always amazed that even with only the one hour difference, I'm very ready for bed around 8:30-9pm here in Tennessee....so, off to dreamland, one day closer to the trip.

traveling again?

Was it just a couple weeks ago that I was unpacking??? and now, packing once again??? Think I mentioned once that Terry's been invited to play with a band that he used to play with when we lived in Wisconsin.....they were invited to play in the Montreaux Jazz Festival....Switzerland, on July 6! All expenses paid! YES! He flies into Paris tomorrow and then there will be some touring and playing in the UK and France....so he wanted me to join him. (Well, of course!) Since we were married in the Loire Valley and spent our honeymoon there and in Paris, we both always jump at the chance to go back. We also have some of our dearest friends in France...Charlotte, our French daughter, lives 2 blocks off the Champs-Elysses.....and her parents, Jean and Elke, live in Cotignac, in the south of France. We've visited them many times, and will see Charlotte again this time. My sister Debbie will come with me and we'll arrive in Paris on June 28......staying about 2 days in Charlotte's apartment, and doing a little sightseeing on our own. Deb has never even been overseas and I'm so excited that her first trip will be to Paris! We'll join the band when they arrive in Paris sometime on the 30th and then go with them to the rest of their gigs....culminating in Switzerland at one of the 2 leading jazz festivals in the world! Excited???? Just a little......don't know how much internet access there will be since much of our time will be spent in homes with families, but we'll try to blog if/when possible. Pray for safety and good health, and of course fun!

Our "Schedule".....

One thing I absolutely LOVE about being in most of the 30-something foreign countries I've visited is that no one seems to be in a hurry. Oh yes, the Italians drive and talk faster than most everyone else I've encountered, but even so, every time I (and whomever else....) get picked up to go somewhere, there are still the little niceties....whether it's Beni or Carla, or some of my other friends in other places (Drew in Brazil, Elke and Jean in France), they always take several minutes to greet the person at whose place we are staying....whether or not they know them personally, there is time for conversation about the person and his or her family. In America, it's always "hurry up, we've got to be at ----- by 2 o'clock!" It used to bother me that whenever I was overseas somewhere, no one was EVER on time. (funny that Vio just came into the guest house to tell us that Beni called and said instead of noon, he'd pick us up at 1pm.....perfect "timing") Eventually, the realization came to me that the reason for the tardiness is that everyone other than most Americans I know is way more interested in having a relationship than in keeping a tight schedule. Of course I understand the need for schedules.....airlines (really?) trains, meetings, dr. appts., etc., but on the other hand, maybe we need to take a little lesson from the others instead of assuming that we're superior because we've got more spaces on our calendars (ahem...I mean i-phones) filled in. Over-scheduling is......maybe not the ultimate goal. Many people have said it - so I'm not sure the original source - but the quote is: "show me your calendar and I'll show you your priorities."
Whoa.....she's done quit preachin' and gone to meddlin'......
It seems that several of the days' conversations have all wound their way back to wisdom.......maybe God's trying to teach us all something.....Lisa and me from US, and Beni, Eugenia and Carla......well, we're listening. One of the days Alex (Carla's 17-year old son) was in on the "wisdom" conversation, and he interjected....."it's easy to be wise....just think of something stupid and then don't say it!" So, I guess that about wraps it up.
Alex accompanies Beni on many of his out of town trips to preach.....it's great one-on-one time for a kid who has been raised by a single mother, and Beni enjoys pouring his wisdom into the "son" that he has taken under his wing. Alex is a great photographer too, so any photos you might see on facebook just might be some taken by him. They were in a church one Sunday and the pastor of the church asked Beni to ask Alex if he might have a message (for the church). Alex pulled out his cell phone and began to scroll down...........true story.
Yesterday the church picnic was quite fun. It's so wonderful to see brothers and sisters who truly care for each other.....it was so evident in their play, their conversations, their hugs and smiles.....and I've heard many stories from people about how loving and caring someone else has been at a difficult time in their lives. Loved talking with Mary Dugulescu, widow of Peter.....and hearing how so many people in the church have continued to invite her over for dinner every Thursday night for the last 3 years since her husband died (on a Thursday night). Do I take that much time to care for someone else? I will remember that and try not to worry so much about my own inconvenience, but about the other person.
There was great grilled chicken, sausages that were rolled by hand just prior to placing on the grill, and wonderful potato wedges with the ever-present garlic sauce.....sour cream and LOTS of freshly grated garlic. Yummy, but POTENT. They began with a wonderful time of praise music, everyone young and old, singing their love for God......the pastor prayed and then a race to be first in line for the food! The teenaged boys were so polite and offered to have me go in front of them. Fortunately the rain held off but it stayed somewhat overcast so therefore it didn't get too hot. Surrounding the open area where most of the "action" was, were about 20 tiny wooden A-frame cottages, just large enough for 2 cots with walking space in between them. A miniature "porch" with 2 steps led out into the grassy area.....they had set up a sound system on one of these porches, and played many of our American contemporary Christian CDS, some Romanian CDS, and there were football (soccer?) games, kickball, badminton, volleyball.....one of the teenagers "called" the games from there. The pastor asked me to play several songs on the violin, so I set up right there by the sound system. My music was laid on the porch railing....had 2 clothespins just lying on the music to "secure" it from a light breeze, and someone held up the microphone for me to play into! At one point, a soccer ball came careening up and hit my ankle! What a funny place to play a violin, but I've always promised God that I'll do whatever He wants me to do, wherever......and this definitely fits into the "wherever" category.
Later on in the afternoon, people wandered back for more food......the pastor called for small groups to pray together, we had another short musical worship time and then the need for that "all-church" photo. Since my camera seemed to be the best quality (thanks, Mandy) they used it.......LOTS of laughter as everyone tried to pose, then squeeze together, babies crying and the pastor's daughter/amateur photographer pointing at someone to turn around, scooch down (there's no Romanian translation for that, by the way) or make a better smile! After a corporate prayer, we all cleaned up and began to pile into cars (or for most of the church members, the bus) for home. Good timing! I'm positive the mosquitoes GREW from the time we arrived till the time we left......they may even be bigger than the ones we designated as our national bird in Wisconsin! Just as we got into the car, a few raindrops began to fall.....off and on till we arrived at the guest house, where we literally got inside and the sky opened up.....thunder and lightning.......pouring rain most of the night, but it was nice and cool for sleeping. We really had fun at the church picnic....been a while since I've attended one of those!
Time to pack......in one way I can hardly believe our time here is over....yet in another way it feels as if we've been gone just about forever! I really miss my hubby!!!

Time to Party!!!

PRAYER REQUEST: Good sleep for both of us.....the last couple of nights, I've slept fairly well, but now Lisa is not, so restful sleep and continued good health. Also, if you would pray for us to truly be a blessing to those we encounter. The Eclesia church is in great need of some encouragement, and we'll be at their church picnic tomorrow (Saturday).

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who come alive." I know that I come alive when I'm on a mission trip. God has put it in my heart to love meeting new people, finding out about their culture and life, and their needs. Today was another chillin' day....though I was up early, I just had some coffee and my devotions while Lisa got some extra sleep which she needed. Breakfast was again a huge buffet and as usual, very tasty! Mihaela also washed some of our clothes for us.....she is such a delightful person and is quick to serve wherever she can. Mid-morning someone rang the gate bell, and Miha brought someone into the guest house.....it was Felix! I was so hoping to see him because when we were here in June, we met Felix and the other 4 of his brass quintet...in fact, they wanted Terry to play with them when we visited their church.....got to chatting, and the next thing we know, there's an email from Felix asking Terry to arrange some music for a CD the quintet is going to record! They were so grateful when both Terry and his copyist told them there would be no charge, and they've begun practicing.....when Ter asked them what style they wanted, they told him just to do different styles.....and they absolutely love what he's done. (well after all, he's MY favorite arranger!) Felix presented me with a gift for Terry for all his work, but of course, I cannot tell you what it is because I'm keeping it a surprise so Terry can see it first!
Shortly after Felix left, Beni walked in....he's back from Ploiesti and would take us to the Law School where he, Eugenia and Carla all study. Terry and I had been there in June, but we didn't get to see all the classrooms because of exams, so this time I got to see that part of it as well. Beni is so proud that WorldTeach has several of their published books being sold in the bookstore at the Law School! We usually stop in the snack shop before we leave, and the owner Cyrus showed Beni something new! Dr. Pepper! Beni was so excited and bought 4 of them because his family all love Dr. Pepper. Cyrus is the very first and only distributor of Dr. Pepper in all of Timisoara....he's very proud of that. During the next 5 phone calls Beni received, we picked up the words "Dr. Pepper" in every one of those conversations!
From the Law School we went to see the ministry "Jesus, Hope of Romania" and Onesimus House, run by Ligia Dugulescu, another place that I had seen in June with Terry. However, each time a person visits and hears the story, more of it sticks....at least in my case, so I was very happy to take the tour again, seeing some of the same boys Ter and I had met previously. Peter Dugulescu, Ligia's father, was the very 1st evangelical in the Romanian Parliament, and is thought of as the Romanian Billy Graham. During communism, abortion was illegal, and the women couldn't afford to keep their babies, so they took them to orphanages, because - think I mentioned this before - Ceaucescu was paying families a monthly stipend to keep their children in the orphanages....his plan was to indoctrinate the children and train them to become his army. So Peter Dugulescu started several different works that his family continues to administrate after his death. 3 of his children, Ligia, Marius and Eunice all live here in Timisoara.....his 4th daughter Christina lives in No. Carolina. We spent about an hour in Ligia's office where she reiterated much of her father's story for us, and read us some of his poems....translated, of course. Even in English it is such beautiful poetry. Marius - Ligia's younger brother, is the member of Parliament who ran the entire Committee Launch on Tuesday, and Eunice was the one who was in charge of inviting me and the speakers. Just an aside, 3 days later, Marius is still being attacked by the press (surprise, surprise!!!) and I'm sure you'll never guess which issue is the most explosive.....could it be unborn children? Yup, one lady in the press is just beating THIS particular dead horse over and over again, but there are many people emailing and asking her to write about some of the other issues.....she, however, refuses to give them "equal time" in her column.....one man said if she wouldn't publish his email, he'd plaster her pictures all over every porn site he could find! "In this world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33) ...... can't say we didn't expect this. But I'm always encouraged by the fact, that, in the end, WE WIN!
Also at Onesimus House there is a shop that Ligia runs to make money for the ministry......yes, we did shop till we
dropped..... several lei for a couple of items each!
It seems that every morning we eat a big breakfast and then starve until 3pm when we finally stop to eat something.....today was not an exception.....after Onesimus house we drove over to our favorite hangout......Iulius Mall, went to the Food Court, and had some gulash. That has to be one of my favorites.....of course it's a Hungarian dish, but many places, especially in this western part of Romania, serve it and it's delicious! That "saved the day" for us.....at least me! (I learned early on to bring a little snack bag of sunflower seeds or almonds. Then, lo and behold, we went back down to Starbucks. I'm not kidding....I really think Alex is a part owner of the place......one thought Lisa and I had is that rather than sitting in one's tiny apartment for hours, it may be more pleasant to hang out at Starbucks! This is the newest and most recent store to open, and Alex was the first person to apply for a job, but he's only 17......he has the manual practically memorized and knows everyone on the staff. He only has to wait till December till he turns 18, and then I'm sure he'll be working there. Today Ioana gave us a tasting of their newest coffee....Sumatra Siborong-Borong..... instructing us on the proper way to first cup your hand over the coffee and breathe deeply......"what do you smell?" Then of course the slurping sip....and finally she gave us each some rocky road cake and had us take a sip, take a bite, take a sip........ well, you can figure out the rest! She was so cute....you could tell she loved doing this, and she has been friends with Alex for a long time.....last night we dropped her off after work. She's a newlywed and hopes to move to Canada with her husband. Anyway, we (whenever I say "we" I'm usually talking about Beni, Eugenia, Carla, Lisa and me......most often Alex, and sometimes Christiana, but today she was tired after tennis so just stopped by to say hi and then go home) stayed for quite a while.....just talking.....till time to PARTY!
The pastor of one of the local churches was giving a birthday party for his friends and we were invited.....the Dugulescu sisters were there, as well as Theresa.....and this time I met Ligia's mother Mary.....ended up sitting next to her at dinner and we had a great conversation. She speaks excellent English and after her husband Peter Dugulescu died, the 2 sisters and their families moved in with her. What a lucky mom! For dinner we had french fries and 4 kinds of meat.....well, chicken breast and chicken wings, pork, and sausage meatballs.....great grillin'....... 2, count 'em 2 kinds of cake, and yes, I had one of each!!!!!...and then the music began! At first it was Shania Twain, Patrick Swayze (Dirty Dancing), Abba, people dancing......then some typical Romanian music - some of them formed a "conga line" and began to dance the hora........(yes, the same as in Greece). Suddenly Ligia's younger daughter Jaclyn ran over and grabbed Lisa and me by the hand.....I think we laughed more than we danced, but we had a ball. Ligia's adopted daughter Georgi, who is 21 now, broke out of the line and turned on the video in her cell phone! She then told Lisa, Theresa and me that we'd each have to pay her $1000 or she'd put us on youtube! Of course she'd donate all the money to her mom's ministry, but still!
In America we call that blackmail! But she WOULD be the cutest blackmailer ever. Yesterday and today, both Lisa and I were feeling a bit of disappointment that we haven't been visiting more ministries.....we've been mostly having "down time". Yet, tonight, at the pastor's birthday party, both of us came to the separate conclusion that what God wants us to do in these last few days is connect with people, not just communicate. Many Americans seem to be of the mindset that if it's not big, impressive, or shiny that it really isn't worth doing. Tonight chatting with different people at the party, it was a good feeling thinking that I could bless them just by listening. Even Christians are too busy networking and trying to impress everyone with their latest book, CD, or corporate project......while people, many of them friends or family, are hurting inside, lonely, and just want to feel loved and cared about. Someone once told me that to be a great conversationalist, keep the other person talking about themselves instead of talking about yourself. May I ever remember that it's far more important to care about people than to puff myself up telling them about my latest achievement. Don't think Jesus went around saying, "hi, I'm Jesus and I'm a carpenter, what do you do?" ........ just sayin'......
Darkness set in, the air got cooler, trash was put in bags, tables folded up and stored, music off, and people beginning to leave. On our way home, Beni received a call, then hung up and told us that the church we were to go to on Sunday night had called apologetically saying that 2 different people had invited 2 different pastors to preach, so in effect, Beni was "un-invited". I don't believe there are any coincidences with God, and just today Ligia had practically begged us to come to Eclesia....her church, because they are in great need of encouragement. So, guess where we'll be Sunday night??? God knew before we did! A GOOD day was had by all.....at least, by me for sure. I'm still writing notes about what I want to do when I come back with my teams, but I'm trusting that God is going to give me the wisdom to plan just the right balance of ministry - "go-go-go" periods with time simply to connect with people's hearts. I do so love the Romanian people.
Time to call Terry.......good night my friends and family, and as always, thank you for your prayers. they have made a real difference in my life and in the lives of my new (and old) Romanian friends.

Movie night

PRAYER REQUEST: My plantar fasciitis is really bothering me....all the walking yesterday exacerbated the condition and even after a good night's rest wearing "the boot" there's still quite a bit of pain.....I don't want to drag the others down with my slowness!
Also, we'll probably visit an orphanage today......I'm still asking God for His wisdom as to the people and places we're visiting and how best to serve them in the future.

About midday yesterday Eugenia walked into the guest house and asked if we were ready to go.....sure, we're always ready. We walked out and down the block, and then she said we'd have to walk about 500 metres. So, with my heel spur/plantar fasciitis, I'm thinkin' I should have prepared for this possibility and worn my Skechers! Drat! I'm just not a mind reader.....wish I was, but I'm just a mother with eyes in the back of her head.....at least that's what my kids used to think :-)
Well, it must have been more like a mile or so that we trekked....and let's all remember that.... as bad as the streets are??? Well, the sidewalks are probably worse than that. It's one thing to hike a mile on even terrain, but I've hiked in the mountains on paths that were smoother than some of these "sidewalks" (and of course I'm using that term very loosely). We finally made it to a main road where we caught a taxi to Carla's apartment for lunch. Her 17-year old son Alex was already home from school, and also her mom Geta was there as well. They had made a Moldovan soup recipe.....with veggies and a very tasty broth.....very good! For the main course, we had polenta with sausages.....you top it with grated sheep's cheese.....with all the good food, it's really difficult to stop at just one helping! Lisa asked Alex to style her hair (he is a licensed stylist) and while Geta and Carla cleaned up, Eugenia and I just relaxed in the living/dining area. Eugenia was pretty spent after her exam in the morning.....she was disappointed in her grade because she missed one question! She can have the opportunity to take it again, and since she has had the Romanian equivalent of straight A's, she wants the chance to make 100% on this exam. Oh that I had been so conscientious when I was a student! (or maybe my kids???)
Lisa came back out to oohs and aahs, and Eugenia then asked Alex if he could just cut her bangs. He's terrified of cutting because he's only just gotten his stylist license.....but he did a great job. Another thing Alex loves to do is make pizza and also crepes. I'm glad he didn't make pizza for dessert, but the crepes were filled with Nutella, apricot jam, or strawberry jam, and topped with cherry ice cream! I'm afraid I'll just have to be rolled off the plane when I finally return home! I, of course, have every good intention of not eating too much when I'm here, and then when it is brought out and placed in front of me, it looks so great, smells so wonderful, and tastes so amazing, that all my will-power flies right out the window! Oh well, I'll eat, drink, and be merry, for when I get home, I'll diet!
It's hard for me to sit still......don't get me wrong, when it's time to chill, I'm at the head of the line and I can relax to the MAX! But when I'm on a mission trip, thousands of miles away from home, I'm always ready for anything.....I don't want to miss a thing or place or person that God has for me to meet, so when there doesn't seem to be a plan, it's a little frustrating to me. Don't tell anyone, I'm just admitting this to you....it's one of my [many] shortcomings. If there's one more orphanage to visit, or church, or ministry, I want to be there! Guess this is what it means to really be passionate about something.....so thank you Lord that you've given me this passion......all this to say that yesterday morning and afternoon was more difficult for me than if we'd been on the go since 6am! I'm just like that.....Terry always tells people that I wake up in the morning saying, "...so anyway..."
Sitting around yesterday actually made me tired, so when Carla got a phone call and said, "we're going to the movie tonight," I thought, "oh great, I can sleep!" We were going to meet up with the Dugulescu family....Ligia and her 2 adopted daughters, her sister Eunice with her husband Christian, one of Ligia's boys from Onesimus House, and Theresa, Ligia's friend (and my new friend) from Salt Lake City, who is head of the European commission on human rights and dignity.....she also spoke to the Romanian Parliament. Met everyone at Starbucks.....sat around and talked till the movie time, and then I found out we were going to see Clash of the Titans. I was not that excited, but this was at least a plan, so I got my ticket and picked up my 3-D glasses. Actually, I got into the film.....thoroughly enjoyed the music (well, duh) so when it was all over, I realized I was glad we'd gone to see it! I love Perseus' line.....he says it once at the beginning and once at the end, and I've said something similar to Terry for many years now, "I've got everything I need right here!"
Movie over, glasses handed back in, we headed back downstairs to Starbucks.....well, down the escalators from the top floor until we stepped on one that wasn't working. Thought we were gonna be stuck at the top of that one all night! (ok, Terry, just laugh this once and I'll never say that again!) The "garage" door was halfway down at S'bucks, but in we walked anyway. I'm sure that Alex is part owner of this one :-) because we just walked in, sat down, several people got more drinks.....and sat and talked while chairs were being put up around us, floor being mopped, the "garage" door was lowered all the way.....till quite a bit past closing time!
Alex has every Starbucks mug available, so I was really excited that the one I brought him was one that is not available here.
We literally closed the place down and all parted to go to our respective "homes". A different day, but a good one, for sure.

Takin' a breather

Last night upon our arrival here at the Peter Dugulescu Guest house, we were served pizza.....no matter that it was 10pm and we just wanted beds, "you must please take two!" I think that was part of my problem trying to fall asleep.....did get to call Terry and talk for quite a while.....he mentioned that my sister Debbie had called him just to check on him! What a sweet sis to do such a thoughtful thing. I've been worried about him, because his idea of a balanced meal is a spoon full of peanut butter in each hand!
Thanks, Deb for doing that! As I've been opening one card a day.....how obedient is that? yesterday's card had a picture of a TV dinner on the front! I KNOW he's not eating that well! He DID tell me that all my plants are thriving.....Meisha (our "baby" - mini schnauzer) just changes the wall she stares at each day! Guess I'm thankful for the creativity she's displaying while I'm away!
If I haven't mentioned this before....next time you go on a tour, or just a long walk at home, make sure you're wearing Skechers "Shape-Ups" They are the best thing ever! Like walking on a cloud......
Woke up around 8am after finally falling asleep who knows when??? We had our own coffee maker so got that going really quickly. I have to say that my MAX has kept me healthy and very energized. Beni and Eugenia were so excited when I handed them 5 months' worth of MAX! Beni said he used to need 5-6 cups of coffee a day and now with MAX he just needs his first cup of the morning! Great stuff.....
When we walked into the kitchen and dining room area, there was a huge buffet table awaiting us! 2 chicks like us just cannot eat all this food we're being offered.....6 fried eggs, a "mess-o'bacon", 8 slices of toast, several quartered tomatoes, half a cucumber sliced up, 2 different kinds of cheeses.....THICKLY sliced......2 kinds of cold cereal, and the ever-present dozen or so of black olives! We're just gonna have to tell Ligia to tell Mihaela (the cook) to cut that down by about 9/10ths! Of course it's all delicious, but really! My slacks were actually beginning to feel looser on me. (or was it the larger size I had to buy? I can't recall) Of course there was also cream cheese, butter, 5 kinds of jelly/jam, and NUTELLA! Ok, that's my "secret sin". I can tell this is gonna be a test and I'm prepared to fail miserably. My idea of a balanced meal is a spoon full of Nutella in each hand!
When they told us last night that they were going to let us have some "down time" this morning, we thought we'd enjoy it, but now we're fed, showered and dressed, and ready to hit the road again. Ok, not literally.....these roads are WAY too bumpy! But we do want to get out and discover what God has for us today. Oops, maybe it's that everyone else needs downtime from Lisa and me. That couldn't be it, could it??? (don't answer that)
Well, whatever God has....Lisa and I are ready. We have so enjoyed getting to know each other, and even though there's an age gap (nope, even torture won't get me to tell you how many years!) we have discovered so many similarities of our growing up years, such as godly Moms who taught us piano (and lots of other practicalities of life), dads who took LOTS of pictures....she's the very first person I know who just may have more slides from her dad than I have from mine -we'll have to count to be sure - and also dads who knew how to use every tool in the toolbox.....AND hubbies who are not terribly handy! Well, I can't say that exactly, because Terry DOES know how to change the guts of the toilet.
Just when you thought this was going to be a clean blog!
We have also had some wonderful fellowship....oops, sorry, for the Christian-ese - I just mean some good old conversation about the Lord we both love and serve. She's got 2 sons who are growing up to be godly men, and both she and I know she is very blessed. We've talked a lot about our parenting, and it's amazing how alike we are in our parenting ideas, according to how we were raised. Prov. 15:20 says "A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother." My 11 sons probably have no idea how much I pray that for them....along with so many other verses as well. (my 7 daughters and 2 stepdaughters too, of course!) We as parents want our kids to be so blessed of the Lord, and it all starts with obedience to His word.....all parts of it, not just the parts they want to, or the parts that other people see. That's only for show. We all had to learn this (me, the hard way), and Lisa gave me a great translation of Eph. 6:1-3. "Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother - which is the first commandment with promise - that it may be well with you and you will live long on the earth." She says that means, "if you guys obey, we won't kill you....that's how you'll live longer!" (I think she was kidding.....but it does give more understanding about the fact that lions sometimes eat their young! Maybe the cubs just didn't obey!)
So, as you can see, 2 moms together on an extended trip only beget more parenting ideas than just one can think of! Thank you Lord for putting us together for this time.....I'm learning an awful lot from Lisa.....she's definitely a wise woman....and I'm so blessed to now call her my friend. Ok, we're going to take a little walk around this compound and see what else there is to see.....we're locked in by a gate (or maybe it's just that everyone else is locked out!) so we can't go far or get lost. It's another beautiful day....a bit more breezy, but definitely sunny after the rain last night. I sure pray that all our Nashville "family" are experiencing some drier weather!!!!! I've been looking at some of the photos.....y'all are definitely in our prayers!

it's TODAY!

Yeah, I never did get online yesterday....what with finishing up the packing, practicing again, and finding out that Terry was "whisking" me away to the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in downtown Atlanta for our "pre-anniversary" celebration, I was kept busy the whole time. This is the tallest hotel in the western hemisphere, and staying on the 60th floor gave us an awesome view of Atlanta, the capitol building, Braves Stadium, the Olympic park, and the aquarium, among other points of interest. He said we had 6pm dinner reservations, so we had some time to relax....or rather, he relaxed, and I re-checked just about everything in my suitcases...eliminating a few more things I figured I could do without. After weighing the suitcase at home and finding it to be a couple ounces over 50 pounds, I gave it my best and figured I took out about 3 pounds' worth of stuff........when I checked in here today, sure enough, it was 47 pounds. Man, I'm good!
But, I get ahead of myself. Just for anyone who cares, here's a little bit of useless trivia. Do you know it IS possible to "refill" a travel-sized toothpaste tube from your larger one? Just in case.......
Ter said it would take about 5 minutes to walk to dinner, which, as it turns out, was on the 72nd floor of the hotel....in the SunDial restaurant! You guessed it! It revolves! It was the clearest evening, a lovely sunset, and 360 views of all around Atlanta, along with Miss Ann, the best server we've probably ever had. In her 27 years working here she has served 3 or maybe 4 presidents, and several CEOs, including the Donald and Lee Iaccoca....(can't remember how to spell THAT one!) Interestingly enough, Miss Ann said the presidents and "bigwigs" she had taken care of were the most gracious and thoughtful people.....nice to hear. On the other hand, she said, "how do I say this? I've served many sports guys, and they were...can I say short?" Her words. Just sayin'
Terry handed me a box, which I of course opened to find a citrine necklace and earrings....citrine is my favorite stone, and, who knew? one of the 11th anniversary gifts is citrine! He actually checked! What a guy! After the most scrumptious dinner AND dessert, (well, it was our 11th anniversary eve, after all) Ter said we had "one more stop" to make and we caught a cab. Dropped us off at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Huh? Dinosaurs? As we walked in, there was some great live music playing, and we bought 2 tickets to the IMAX film. However, as we walked down the stairs to where the band was playing, who walked up but Hayley! Ter's younger daughter and 3 of her friends were there to join us and help celebrate the day! Great surprise, and though we've seen Hayley quite often, we had some catching up to do with Kelly and Tiffany, whom we had not seen since Hayley and Jason's wedding. Brittany was new to us, and she was actually working so we just said a quick hello. Hayley got us some perrier and coke, and then "insisted" we go to the photo booth for pictures! It was really funny to find out later that they could watch us from the outside on a screen.....they were laughing when we came out, but they were a great part of the fun we had. Went into the IMAX theater for a wonderful documentary film on Saudi Arabia...... breathtaking photography and a great narration by a young Saudi photo-journalist who went back to "find himself" and discover who his people were. Really enjoyed that one, and made so much more fun by having the 3 girls there too. Afterward, Terry told them I was leaving for Romania today and they all came outside, laid their hands on me, and prayed for me! Pretty powerful to have "20-somethings" (yeah, I know your ages!) mature enough in their faith to pray for this ahem, 39-many-times-over woman. Brought tears to my eyes, and I know these girls are the real deal. One of them asked what is the most pressing need in Romania, and Terry replied that really, it's a "golden age" of sorts....people are so open and hungry for the gospel, and the churches are full.....many of the missionaries who go into other European countries come from Romania.
The gals mentioned they're starting another small group Bible study with some of their other friends....at all levels of spiritual maturity....we'll sure pray for them too...especially Kelly, who is leading the first one in 2 weeks! We hugged, our taxi came, and parted ways....got one more call from Hayley when we got back to the hotel.
It was a perfect sendoff.....mostly because I was so distracted by all the fun. Calling our flight now....lots more to tell.