CARNIVAL!!!

I know I have already posted once today, but I could not pass up the opportunity to post pictures of our latest Portuguese adventure. We are all out of school for 3 days for the Portuguese celebration of Carnival. Today was the local parade and we ventured out with some of our "M" friends. This is the same as our celebration of Mardi Gras in the states. Since we lived in New Orleans for 2 years, I thought I knew what to expect. Boy was I surprised! We saw a little bit of everything, but mostly men dressed as women and women dressed in very little. All the children dress up, but I was amazed at how many adults dressed up. The stores look like Halloween in the states with all the costume choices. It is crazy!! Below are some of pictures of our adventure.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

RECONNECTED!!

After almost 3 weeks without internet, we are finally reconnected.

We have begun settling into our new apartment and a fairly good daily routine. Both the boys like their schools and seem to be making freinds. Ethan says the thing he misses most is the playground. Here the play areas are all concrete - even the soccer field area. Micah is walking back and forth from school to home and is enjoying the freedom his new school offers. He has been suprised at the open campus. He can come and go when he does not have class and there is also a students break room where they have a snack bar and ping-pong table. This is for the kids that don't leave for lunch (they have an hour).

Andy and I have been on a few field trips with our language class in the last few weeks. We visited a monestary, a castle and the local market. I think the market has been my favorite. It was just like being at a West TN flea market - and they have it twice a week!! You can find anything - curtinas, linens, kitchen stuff, clothes, DVDs, toys, fresh produce, anything.

We are finally beginning to feel HOME!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our New Best Friend

Meet Susan. She is our new best friend. We don't go anywhere in Lisbon without her. She has been a lifesaver on many a dark, wet drive home.

A GPS can be one of a missionaries most importance resourses. Driving can still be a challenge (because few people follow the traffic rules) but our faithful GPS gives us the freedom to get lost and still find our way home or to our destination.

We have really become tired of the rain and cold, but today as we were driving to language class, God showed us his beauty in the rain - A FULL RAINBOW. We stopped to take a picture as we drove down into the valley.

Since the boys are not in school yet, they have been attending language classes with us. We decided that they had had enough work and needed a little playtime, so we set off for a park in our new neighborhood. Here are a few random pictures.

Make a Smilebox postcard

My Contentment

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:6

I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.

Philippians 4:11

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." John Piper

You have promised to walk with me all the way and provide all that I need, dear God, and I am rejoicing in that guarantee. What more do I need? It doesn't matter that the world presents shiny trinkets. Their luster dims in the brilliance of the blessings and contentment You give.

Father I know that if I am in the center of your will, I will be content.

I daily rejoice in your guarantees. you are an awesome God!