FINALLY

I know it has been awhile, but the last few weeks have been quite crazy here. We finally have all the boxes unpacked, I think, at least for now. After the truck was unpacked I asked Andy, "Is that all! I know we brought more. We were packing for days it seemed!" It all also seemed to come out of the boxes quicker than I remember everything going in. However, it finally feels like home. What a luxury it is to curl up on the couch and watch a movie. Even Smokey has found his rightful place!

Sea Of Boxes

Sorry that I haven't posted in a few days. Our crates arrived a few days ago and we have again found ourselves amid a sea of boxes. However it feels really good to be unpacking this time. I promise to post pictures soon.

ETHAN IS OFFICALLY 8 YEARS OLD

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHAN!!!

Ethan picked out a Lighting McQeen cake at the local bakery and and we had a party at school. Here is a video of his class singing to him and some pictures. (you'll have to scroll down to the bottom of the page and mute the music player in order to hear them sing.)

Since Micah got the Wii for his birthday, Ethan got .......

Guitar Hero. I don't know was more excited - Ethan or Micah.

A True Cultural Experience

Today we had the "privilege" of applying for a visa. We had a 1:00 appointment that evidently did nothing but get us in the door. We arrived at 12:15, after a 30 minute metro ride and thought we were doing well to be 45 minutes early. We took a number, waited for about 30 minutes, and then went to the appointed window only to be sent to get another # and to wait in another line (for an hour) to have our picture and fingerprints taken. The gentleman at this window realized that he lived in the same area as we do and took a liking to the curly, blond-headed child with us. (This pays off later in the afternoon!) We now are told to get another # and wait in the 3rd line of the day. After another 3 hours of waiting, (we're up to 5 if you're counting) we were told that only Andy & I could apply and that we would have to come back another day to get the boys visas. They also stated that we had to have an insurance # in Portugal. After stuggling to expalin that our company covered our medical expenditures I guess the lady at the window could sense my frustration. She took all our paperwork and consulted with the "higher-ups". It seemed that they had sorted it all out and the gentleman mentioned earlier had even convinced them to go ahead with the boys' visas! However, by this time, everyone was ready to leave for the day (they even had to unlock the front doors to let us out) so they gave us forms to fill out for the boys and told us to come back at 8am in the morning and come straight to the desk - no numbers. We were a bit discouraged, but everyone tells us that being told to come back is good because you usually have to get another appointment and that can take up to a month. ---- Oh, and I forgot to mention the man that went into a mad tirade and had to be removed by security! It was definitly a cultural experience.

Easter in Portugal

HE IS RISEN!!!

We have returned from a full morning of celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior with our local church family. At times, our limited language has made church a bit stressful, but not today! Our hearts are full! Our Easter celebration began on Friday night as we met to worship and share the Lord's Supper as well as sharing the dinner meal with the church family. It was truly a time of remembrance as we shared the bread and the cup.

This morning we began with a small but special service atop a hill in the local park. It was a beautiful morning.

We then shared breakfast at church and were joined by more church members in a long (10:30-1:00) but special service. It was a wonderful time of praise and worship and Andy & I even got to sing! (in english of course) The Lord really used the time to lift our hearts and our spirits.

As we left church, just like every Sunday, we passed the Catholic church. Most Sundays there is very little activity. For a long time we didn't even know it was the Catholic church! However today, there were people everywhere. We could hardly get through. My heart just broke. For most of these people, they were doing their duty and could mark it off their list now. Later in the afternoon we went to the local park and I was amazed at how many people were out, as if it were any other Sunday afternoon and many of the shops and restaurants were open as well.

Today was a wonderful time of celebration and remembrance of our Lord, but also a reminder of why we are here - "so that all may know".

As we celebrate the marvelous ressurection of our Lord this week, let us not forget the walk He took on our behalf and all that it means to us today.

Happy Easter from our family to yours. May it be a beautiful time of remembrace and thanksgiving.

Still He Walked
Author Unknown
Apr 7, 2009

"Still He Walked"

He could hear the crowds screaming "crucify" "crucify"...
He could hear the hatred in their voices,
These were His chosen people.
He loved them,
And they were going to crucify Him.
He was beaten, bleeding and weakened...
His heart was broken,
But still He walked.

He could see the crowd as He came from the palace.
He knew each of the faces so well.
He had created them.
He knew every smile, every laugh, and every shed tear,
But now they were contorted with rage and anger
His heart broke,
But still He walked.

Was He scared? You and I would have been
So His humanness would have mandated that He was.
He felt alone.
His disciples had left, denied, and even betrayed Him.
He searched the crowd for a loving face and He saw very few.
Then He turned His eyes to the only one that mattered
And He knew that He would never be alone.
He looked back at the crowd...
At the people who were spitting at Him
Throwing rocks at Him and mocking Him
And He knew that because of Him,
They would never be alone.
So for them, He walked.

The sounds of the hammer striking the spikes echoed through the crowd.
The sounds of His cries echoed even louder,
The cheers of the crowd, as His hands and feet were nailed to the cross,
Intensified with each blow.
Loudest of all was the still small voice
Inside His heart that whispered "I am with you, my son",
And God's heart broke.
He had let His son walk.

Jesus could have asked God to end his suffering,
But instead He asked God to forgive.
Not to forgive Him, but to forgive the ones who were persecuting Him.
As He hung on that cross, dying an unimaginable death,
He looked out and saw, not only the faces in the crowd,
But also, the face of every person yet to be,
And His heart filled with love.
As His body was dying, His heart was alive.
Alive with the limitless, unconditional love He feels for each of us.
That is why He walked.

When I forget how much My God loves me,
...I remember His walk.
When I wonder if I can be forgiven,
...I remember His walk.
When I need to be reminded of how to live like Christ,
...I think of His walk.
And to show Him how much I love Him,
...I wake up each morning, turn my eyes to Him,
.......And I walk.

Pedro & Ines

Today we went visited the city of Alcobaca and learned the story of Portugal's real-life Romeo & Juliet - Pedro & Ines. Enjoy the pictures and the story.

Make a Smilebox postcard

Turning 13

It is hard to believe that we have an official teenager in the house. Wasn't it just yesterday that we were bringing him home? Time flies so quickly. We want so desperatly for them to crawl and walk, then wish they would stay put! We are so excited with their first words and then wonder will they ever be silent! We wonder will they ever be able to feed themselves, then wonder where are they putting it all and will they ever stop eating!

It seems as if we blink and the time is gone. I look at Micah and realize that we now have a young man on our hands and all of the new responsiblity that this stage brings. Will we survive? Will he? What do we do with a teenager?!

We are so grateful to God for this wonderful child He has given us and for the extrodinary gifted and talented young man that he has become. He has such a caring, quiet and tender spirit.

We love you Micah and look forward to seeing all the Lord does in your life as you enter this new stage of life!

Make a Smilebox slideshow