The Second Month

We have now finished our 2nd month in the U.S. We plan on staying another 8 more months. We have been busy traveling again this month. We started out the month in a mission's conference in Stockbridge, Georgia and ended up the month in Madison, Wisconsin. The churches have treated us so well and we are getting fat and spoiled. We have met many new people and many people that have been praying for us over the last 4 years. That is such a blessing when you go into a church and someone comes up and says that they have been praying for you everyday. We also met a young lady that had picked up our prayer card at one church but had never personlly met. We were able to met her. In Madison, a litle girl named Rachel came up and gave me a penny. She wanted to give something to the missionary. She gave all she had and I have that penny taped in my Bible. At times it is tiring going from state to state but these people are so precious to us.

I think the thing that has been the most challenging is the home schooling. We have had to school in many different houses and even in the car. The flip side is that when are passing a place in our travels that would be a good "field trip" we are trying to stop. We were even able to visit Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. We took the cheapest tour and had a great tour guide Mr. Joe. Now when the kids study about Mammoth Cave in history they will remember that they have been there and what saw.

A Great Family Deal!

We spent most of the month of October in Wisconsin. We visited several churches there. Not only that we saw snow flurries. The kids were so excited. It was really cold! But while there in Oshkosh we took the kids to the EAA museum. It was a great deal. You pay one price per family. Only $22. If you have 10 kids or 4 like us it is $22 per family. We spent about 5 hours in this museum and learned a lot about the history of aviation.

Happy Birthday

Joshua and Sophie. Joshua turned 9 and Sophie turned 6.

Hannah with Benjamin. Hannah turned 12 and Benjamin turned 7.

Each child had their own cake.

We have three children that have birthdays in October. Benjamin's is on the 8th, Hannah on the 30th, and Joshua on the 31st. The children also have a cousin, Sophie, who has a birthday in October. Sophie is my twin sister's youngest child.

We decided to have one big party for everyone on the 8th. Actually that was the only date that worked for everyone. We had such a good time complete with a hay ride, hot dogs, and a marshmellow roast. The children actually seemed to enjoy the party more sharing it with each other. My sisters other 2 girls wanted another cousin party because they said that was what made the party so good.

The first month

This first month back has been busy busy busy. I thought that I would have all this great free time now that I did not have to worry about Bible club, Sunday school, ladies meetings, and the children at the colony. Boy was I wrong. We have travel already over 5,000 miles (7 states, I think, and Canada). We are learning the joys of home schooling in the car, hotel, and any house we are visiting for the night. Well, it has been interesting to say the least and we are meeting so many wonderful people. We have been able to visit churches that already support us and also new churches. We have been amazed at how well we have been treated. They have made our entire family feel special. We are getting spoiled and a little fat! YIKES!

We went into Canada on a whim. We were at a supporting church near Detroit so we decided to cross over into Canada just so the kids could say they had been to Canada. Once we crossed over the lady at the tourist info building told us it was only 4 hours to Niagara Falls. I had been there before but Steve and the kids never had. So we decided to drive the 4 hours through Canada to Niagara Falls. Well, it was well worth it. We could not have picked a more beautiful day. We stayed there only about 2 hours. Long enough to go on the Maid of the Midst which takes you almost right under the falls or though it seems. We then drove back through New York, into Pennsylvania, and back down to Georgia.

Here we are at Niagara Falls

Of course you gotta love the Hershey's kiss.

The house where we stayed in Michigan. Bro. Paschall is a hunter and had killed this bear in Canada.

Hotel Tropical

Because the airline changed our flights, we had an over night layover in Manaus. They put us up at Hotel Tropical at their expense. We could have never afforded to stay there. It would have cost about $500 (at least) for a one night stay. They put us in 2 big rooms and then gave us breakfast and lunch at the hotel. We would have loved it if they had given us one more night.

This guy was cooking up your order at breakfast and lunch. The food was amazing. Breakfast would have been enough for lunch but because they gave us both meals free we ate both meals.

They have a zoo at this hotel and this is Joshua wrestling a snake. (not a real one)

This is Benjamin with Ethan. His mom and dad are missionaries in Manaus and friends of ours (they used to live in Rio Branco). We were able to meet up with them and another missionary family while in Manaus.

This is the reception area of the hotel. I tried to take this to get a picture of how much it cost, but I did not want to get up too close. So, I did not get a good picture.

Leaving Brazil

It was hard to say goodbye to the people in Rio Branco. We had several families from the church come to the airport to say goodbye. We are already missing these people so much. Steve has called several times to check on the church and the people. It is going great. The people are excited and they have had several visitors coming. Others are stepping up offering to help and being faithful. I think Steve said this Sunday they are having a church cookout after Sunday morning service. We are so thrilled to hear the great reports and the people coming together.

Oziel with the kids.

Walber and his family.

Jerri and his family