Brazilian Life???

So how does a farm girl from North Dakota end up living in Brazil?? I can only say, by God's will. As my friend Rachel says, "It's just not natural for you, a farm girl from ND, to marry a man from Brazil, then move there. It's just not natural." :)

It all started on a crispy fall day in October, when Renato and I met. Let's just say we both knew quickly that we were meant to be. :) Within a year we were married and had bought a house and were planning our life together ministering in the Springs. Well, God had other plans. We started our own ministry, traveling to other countries and ministering to local churches to teach and form relationships with those churches. Renato went to Brazil to minister and came back, knowing that God was moving. So we prayed a lot and knew it was God's time to move to Brazil.

We're headed out Jan. 17th. We'll be staying with Renato's parents until we find a place of our own. Our main goal is to travel within Brazil and get to know the local churches. We'll also be doing as much as we can to reach out to the city we're living in. And of course we'll be opening our home for lots of fellowship. Eventually we'd like to start a home church and see where God takes us from there.

So we've got lots of excitement and adventure ahead of us. Now we're just trying to figure out all the details in moving to another country. Do any of you have any idea how expensive it is to hire a moving company to move you to Brazil? Let me just say, it's not cheap. So we're trying to explore all our options.

Anyway, that's an update from where we are, 2 and 1/2 months from the big day. :)

All Things Pumpkin Party

Camden, Gordon, Renato, and Corey
Jody, Sharon, Darcy, Camden, Me
Yummy pumpkin goodies!!
The Hosts Debbie and Randy

Our friends, Randy and Debbie, hosted the 3rd Annual All Things Pumpkin Party. It is always a good time with friends, but the best part is the vast array of amazing pumpkin dishes. Everyone is required to bring a homemade pumpkin dish. I know lots of people who keep their eyes open all year long for a new recipe. This year was by far the best. There were 3 tables full of different pumpkin dishes. Some of the variety this year was, Thai Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Stew, Pumpkin Soup in a pumpkin shell, Pumpkin Strata, and LOTS of different pumpkin desserts. Here is the pumpkin soup I made this year. It was really easy and very yummy! I've never seen anything like it before, so I thought I'd try it out. All I can say is YUM!!!

Holiday Chilled Cranberry Pumpkin Soup

2 cups Ginger 'Ale

1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar

2/3 cup Canned Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

2 cups Canned pumpkin puree

1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg

1/4 tsp Ground Ginger

1/4 tsp Salt

1 and 1/2 cups Half-and-half or Light Cream

Garnish: Sour Cream and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

In a medium saucepan, heat ginger ale until it begins to simmer. Stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Stir in cranberry sauce. Add pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Stir in half-and-half. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Spoon out into 4 bowls. Top each with a tablespoon of sour cream, and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds. Enjoy!

No, No, No

Since Camden has become mobile the last month, it seems most of our spoken vocabulary to him lately has been......... "No!" "No, no Camden." "No Camden." "Don't Touch." I know we have a lot more of this coming our way, but it's very difficult teaching boundaries to babies because they really don't understand. Even though I must say, Camden knows the things he's not supposed to touch, but temptation is just too great sometimes. :) I guess mama and daddy are learning just as much as Camden right now. I do love how curious babies are though. They have to try out everything to see how it works, and that's a part of the learning process. So pray for patience for us and wisdom as we begin the stages of boundaries. :)

Look at that face!!

Here is a cute pic of Camden. He is now 8 months old. He has 4 teeth and can crawl and walk around the furniture. (Mom isn't ready for him to walk on his own yet!) His little personality is sure starting to shine. :) Being a mom is absolutely amazing. I still feel like I need to pinch myself sometimes. It's not easy all the time, but it is rewarding. Although when people ask me how it's going and comment on how hard being a mom is, I don't agree with them. I was a teacher for 8 years before I had a baby and decided to stay home. Taking care of 1 baby is MUCH easier then teaching a classroom full of 23 1st graders. I'm sure my outlook will change when I have more children, but just having one now, I must say, is a wonderful job. :)

3 Months and Counting

In less than 3 months, my family and I will be in Brazil. Right now we have sold most of our possessions, and are living in a small apartment with a 6 month lease. All I can say is that God moves fast when you are willing to say "yes" to His calling. I must say, it was very exciting to buy our One-Way Tickets to Brazil! Our "go-date" is January 17Th.

I intend to use this blog to keep everyone updated and posted on our preparations for Brazil, then to keep connected once we are there. So stop by whenever you can, and I'll try to do my best at keeping this up to date. I'm excited to have found a great way to keep in touch. So stay tuned for future posts about my life in transition. :)