A request for a kiss

I had lunch with Geo yesterday. I'm thankful for a job and a stage in life where I can go and eat with each boy once a month. However I'm also thankful that, while he now calls us Mom and Dad (so grown up), as he was heading back to class and was about to leave without even a high five- he can back and not only gave me a hug but requested "Kiss?"  And then he offered up his sweet, still boyish cheek right there in front of everyone. I thankful that, at least for now, he's not too big for that.

Being able to help take care of Dad

Thankfully Dad's rotater cuff surgery went well and thankfully he continues to heal well.

And today I'm thankful that I'm able to come and spend the day with him helping do the little things he can't do on his own right now (like put on his shoes). It's been a blessing to be able to help out and a blessing to spend the day together just the two of us.

Coffee with Mandy

We aren't able to get together as much as we did a few years back- additional kids, jobs demands, life, etc. But today we scheduled it- coffee time. She enlightened me on all the new there is for babies (since it seems I had my last baby during the dark ages), and we laughed, and talked, and enjoyed each other's company.

It's a blessing to have friends like her.

The man whistling at the gas station

I don't really enjoy filling up the tank but today was a special treat as I was entertained by the man at pump 2's lovely whistling. 

Dad's Surgery, Recovery, My In Laws

I'm thankful my dad's surgery went well on Wednesday and that he's at home recovering.

I'm thankful that, while sitting at home not even lifting a laundry basket or anything else has been incredibly dull, I have been able to do so and that all things with me and the baby continue to go well.  I'm hoping that by being an uber good girl this week, I'll get off light duty next week and into more of a medium duty.  But even if I don't, I'm thankful that I have job and a family that allows for light duty living.

Which brings me to my in laws.  I could have done light duty without their help this week, but it wouldn't have been nearly as easy as it was.  I'm thankful that they were able to take the boys and give them a fun fall break while I was at home resting.

God's care

I had a bit of scare with my pregnancy my last 48 hours in Brazil.  But I am thankful beyond words for my teammates who pulled together and prayed for me while I was off experiencing the joys of a small town Brazilian "hospital."  I'm also thankful for the wonderful hotel staff at the Beach Hotel Cambury who cared for all of us as we were concerned about what this scare meant. I'm thankful that Lisa was on the team- an RN and midwife- who was able to help us have a better handle on what was going on and knew what to do.  And I'm thankful for Becky and Rachel, fellow teammates and Portuguese speakers, who came with us to the hospital so we could communicate.  Thankful too that rules were broken and Lisa and Becky were able to come back with me so I was not alone while at the hospital.

Now being back, having gone to my doctor, having been monitored and release with a "you both look good, just take it easy,"  I'm thankful for God's care through this scare and thankful that both myself and baby are doing well.

Babi

Today as I was walking around the hotel Babi, one of the Brazilian women, caught me.  She put her hands on my belly and began to rub the baby (a very Brazilian thing to do) and said there is a song she loves to sing to the babies in the womb.  And then she began and blessed me and my unborn child with the most beautiful lullaby-

 

She sang to me, in Portuguese, the words of Psalms 139:

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

 In Brazil they call giving birth, para dar a luz (to give light).  What a beautiful thought.

 

My Time In Brazil

By this time tomorrow our time with the women here at CCC 12 will be half over.  I'm so blessed to be here with them, to learn more about their lives on the mission field, to share my heart with them as well. 

I'm also greatly blessed by the wonderful cards and encouragement my Prayer Warriors have sent to me while I'm here.  You have no idea how wonderful your words are- true gifts of the spirit to my soul.