I Finally Saw the Lights of Friday Night!

I had yet to be able to attend a football game this season...until tonight. I was determined to attend tonight's game against Canyon High. It was a long day and I wasn't sure how long I'd feel like staying but I really wanted to go anyway. Heather's ankle kept her from performing the kick routine with her dance team, but she did march with the band. She was in pain afterward and had to ice her ankle but she does seem to be getting better.

I'm the field photographer for the dance team and as such have the privelege of being out on the sidelines for the half time show to take pictures. While I'm there, I usually grab as many shots of Heather marching with the band as I can before the dancers take the field and I turn my focus on them.

Sadly, Matadors lost tonight's game but there were still some exciting plays in the game.

Before the game, Marty and I met Heather and her friends at Chili's for dinner:

Ryan, Heather, Megan, Tiffany, and Matt.

Heather is always easy to spot in the band, marching in her dance uniform.

The Starsteppers Dance Team performing their kick routine--sans Heather :0(

I decided to try out my zoom lens from my seat way above the 50-yard line and capture a few shots of the football game.

Heather's friend Ryan is the school mascot. He does a great job!!!

Playing Tourist in Brazil

During some of the team's free time while on the Brazil Mission Trip, Marty and Billy opted to head down to the beach to check out the Kitesurfing Competition. They both liked what they saw so much they wanted to try it for themselves, but unfortunately time and money didn't allow for that.


Hey, Lisa, what are the odds that lessons in kitesurfing end up on the guys' Christmas wish lists this year???

I do agree after looking at the pictures it would be something fun to watch. Out of curiosity I searched for kitesurfing on the Texas coast and actually did find places in Corpus and on South Padre that have shops, lessons and the works. Pretty expensive stuff though!!!


Kitesurfing is surfing a board similar to a wakeboard, while strapped to a huge kite you fly at the same time. Each kite contains a chamber that runs the lenth of the kite that holds air, which keeps the kite extended at all times.

Here are the photos Marty took of the kitesurfing competition in Brazil:

The green and red objects lying in the sand are the kites.

You can see from this photo of a young man carrying a kite just how long they are.

Check out my other blog for Marty's cool sunset photos from the plane trip home.

My Honey Is Finally Home...

....and he brought loot! We'll be posting photos of his trip in the days to come so keep checking back.




Marty has brought Heather and me these cookies from Brazil before and we love them. The last time he brought smaller packages and there were gone in a flash (ahem, Heather you're supposed to SHARE!). This time he brought 3 larger packages, in 3 different flavors. Since Heather is still staying at her Granny's I got to choose my package first! So now, do I gobble up the whole package because they are SO GOOD? Or do I savor them because who knows when I get another package of them?





Among other things he also brought us some hand made jewelry, pottery, and flip flops.






Thanks Babe, for all the goodies, but mostly we are just glad you are home! We missed you!

This and That

Things are happening, just not a lot to blog about lately. I did go back to work yesterday, part time and that seems to be all I can take for now. The best news: Marty will finally be home tomorrow! It seems this mission trip has been sooo much longer than those in past years. It will be so good to have him home again, although I'm so glad he was able to go.

I heard his voice tonight for the first time in 12 days. We've emailed every night while he's been away but there've been no phone calls since he left the USA. Tonight the team arrived in Florida and will make the final leg of their journey home tomorrow.

I have yet to make it to a single football game this season and we're hoping I'm up to making the out of town trip to Canyon to see this week's game. Heather's ankle is healing but she will still be unable to dance with her team at halftime this week. She will be marching with the band so at least she's able to participate some. Maybe by the following week she'll be dancing again! She went back to work this weekend and although I had to pick her up early Saturday because of her swollen ankle, she worked her entire shift Sunday. Her job keeps her on her feet the entire time.

Before I know it life will once again be the rat race it once was not so long ago.

My Nephew, the Zizzer!

My nephew Brandon is the son of my sister Regina and her husband Greg. They also have a daughter Danielle whom I have posted stories of here before.

Brandon has been homeschooled or enrolled in private school for most of his education. This year he is a senior in high school and is attending my old high school, West Plains High School. He's also getting to play football and recently my mom was able to attend one of his games and took a bunch of pictures. She sent a few to me. I so wish I lived close enough to go watch one of his games! I love attending football games here in South Texas and watching Heather perform with the band and dance teams and I know it would be just as exciting to see Brandon play football. Thank you, Mom for sharing these photos and thank you Regina for allowing me to share them with everyone else!

Gosh where has all the time gone??? The first time I saw Brandon was when he was 4 months old and he flew to Arizona with his mommy to come visit me when I was pregnant with Heather. He was the cutest little baby boy I'd ever seen! And now here he is a senior, about to embark upon adulthood and the first steps of his future await just around the corner. I'm so very proud of the young man you've become, Brandon!

Go Zizzers!!!

Another Brazil Mission Trip Update

Pastor Mitch, with missionary Sharon translating during an evening outdoor service.

Brazil Mission Team member Billy, with missionary Sharon translating during a day of VBS in Brazil.

This was received in an email a few days ago from our pastor and friend, Mitch:



Well, we are half way through our Brazil mission project and the devil is still trying to disrupt things. Please continue to pray for us, the people of the FBC Luis Correia and our missionaries. We learned last night that the brother-in-law of Pastor Julio’s wife was shot in the stomach while at work. He is a night watchman in Teresina (the city we fly in and out of). Details are sketchy, but we learned this morning he has died. Needless to say, this has disrupted the focus of Pastor Julio and his wife, Audi. They hosted us in their home for lunch today and we had a wonderful traditional meal, but she is very sad. The custom here is to bury the dead within 24 hours, so the funeral was today and there was no way Audi could get to Teresina before the funeral. She may ride in with us as we depart.

Now for the good news. Some 15 people stepped forward last night to say that the wanted to know Christ in a personal manner. Reva shared her testimony, Marty sang a solo (yes that’s correct, a solo) and I preached an evangelistic message. So far, our team members have led over 30 people to Christ through evangelistic visitations in the homes. Here in Coconut Beach, there are only two classes of people: the very rich and the very poor. Many of the large, expensive ocean front homes are empty. They are vacation homes for the rich. Many have a small house on the property which houses another very poor family who looks after the place while the owners are away. Then there are the fishermen. They live in small tile homes with only hammocks for beds and with little other furnishings. There are also construction workers building the large fancy homes. They live much like the fishermen. These three types of people are the ones we are mainly trying to reach because they are here year round. There have been many who have expressed interest in a weekly Bible study and even a new church. Vic and Sharon believe the little town is ready for a mission church to be established.

Pray for us over the next few days for something special. Unknown to Pastor Julio nor to Vic and Sharon, there is the Brazilian National Kite Surfing Championships being held in Coconut Beach this weekend. It actually begins today and will run through Sunday. Hundreds of people are expected and we’ll be handing out tracts to all who will accept. Pray for opportunities to share one on one with some of these visitors.

We love you all and we’ll send more updates as we can.

Bro. Mitch and the team

Galway Girl

The simplest things can make my day and music can often lift my spirits. Because I've been unable to get out and do anything I've been pretty much a couch potato watching way too much tv. Yesterday afternoon Heather came home from work early after her ankle swelled again so we were both couch potatoes. I didn't feel like going to the video store so we opted to watch a movie we've already seen over and over again: P.S. I Love You. I tend to love all things Irish and Heather has the same love of chick flicks her mama has so this movie appeals to both of us a lot. We both love the song sung in the pub in the movie and I was so disappointed to find it's not on the soundtrack. After hearing the song during the movie yesterday I decided to see if I could find out what the song is. I typed "song sung in the pub in P.S. I Love You." Why didn't I think of that sooner???? It was so easy to find and after learning the name of the song is "Galway Girl" sung by Steve Earle I headed over to amazon.com and 99 cents later downloaded the song. As I have a tendency to listen to a new song over and over when I like it, I'm sure it won't be long before Heather is begging me to find something new to listen to!

And the Morning was Filled with Beautiful Music Again

I'm feeling so much better each day. I have been well taken care of during my recovery and am blessed with a wonderful church family. Friends have been bringing me food, sending me cards, and even picking up prescriptions for me. My mother in law moved me into her house so she could help take care of me when Marty went to Brazil on a mission trip and I suffered a setback that could have landed me back in the hospital. Thanks to her I was soon on the mend again and able to move home a few days ago.

This morning I was able to attend church again and it was so nice to get out of the house. During the worship service, our "ensemble" played their instruments and it was so beautiful to get to listen to. They've been practicing together whenever all their busy schedules allow and Heather joins them with her french horn.

Rodney on his trumpet, Richard on his sax, and Heather on her french horn.

After church my friends Pat and Lisa treated Heather and me to lunch at my favorite place: the local coffee shop! Thanks Pat and Lisa!



(Check back tomorrow to see if I'm successful in uploading a video of the song the ensemble played at church this morning.)

My Visitors Today

This afternoon when I woke from a much needed nap I saw one lonely deer standing in the yard, looking toward the house. He seemed to watch my every move as I gently opened the door and stood on the deck to take his pictures. After a few clicks he ran off, but didn't go far. Normally we see multiple deer at once so it was unusual to only see this one. I'm hoping his mama wasn't the wounded deer I saw on my way home yesterday, dragging one of her hind legs behind her as she ever so slowly crossed the road in front of me. I felt so sorry for her but didn't see anymore of her today.

Later in the evening some more deer were in the yard so I ventured out onto the deck once more to capture them as well. Almost as soon as I started clicking I could hear something coming down the road, and the deer could hear it too. Their eyes were trained toward the sound, but they remained still the whole time as Heather drove up in my father in law Freddie's pickup. Freddie rode up on the lawn mower soon after and the 2 of them set to work getting the lawn mowed for us. Thank you Freddie and Heather!!!

I must admit, it's been so long since I held my camera it almost felt foreign in my hands...but not for long!

Photos from Brazil

I had my mother in law drop me off at my house today so I could pick up a few things I need and grab my camera. I must be feeling better if I want my camera, right?! I am feeling much better than before and finally feel like I am on the mend. I may even attempt a trip to the office tomorrow if all goes well.

While I was home an email arrived from Marty, full of pictures and the simple statement, "Here are some pics for your blog." :0)

I guess someone showed him how to email pictures because that's one thing I forgot to show him how to do when I got him the camera and computer!!! So, a big thanks to whichever team member is helping Marty!!! And I'm sure my readers thank you too as I'm sure they are sick of looking at the same thing every time they visit my site.

The mission trip is going very well and I anxiously await news of today. I am able to email Marty every night when he returns to his hotel. I believe today was the day he was to help the ladies (Reva and Denise) with VBS at a school.

Here is Marty along with our pastor (Mitch) with a family in Brazil. Each person pictured with them made professions of faith after hearing testimonies from our team members.

I await to hear from Marty what this photo is....

(I just got word from Marty this is a hot dog stand)

Team members Larry (one of our deacons, also the father of Lisa over at C&C World--he's the man in the orange shirt), and Marty is on the far right in the striped shirt.

Marty with a gentleman who made a profession of faith this week after hearing testimonies from our team members.

Marty with members of another family who all made professions of faith this week. What an awesome God we serve!

He's even taking the time to take some scenic photos. Marty does love pineapple....especially grilled in Brazil!!!

Our pastor, Mitch, with another family.

If I'm not mistaken I believe Marty told me 20+ people have made professions of faith this week and there are 13 prospects for the new church.

Brazil Mission Trip

Our church received the most exciting email today from our pastor who is in Brazil with a mission team, including my husband Marty.

I have heard doubts from many about Marty continuing on this mission trip with my problems recovering from surgery. Today's email confirms without a doubt that we came to the right decision that he should continue his trip as planned. I told him last week that God must have great plans for this team otherwise why would satan be throwing so many stumbling blocks before this team? Here is my pastor's email and the photos he sent with it:

"I know that some of you have already received updates from your Brazil team,however I wanted to share with you a couple of photos from today. One is ofthe afternoon VBS class (about 45 children) and the other is of the Rodriguez family. Marty shared the gospel with the adults of this family and five of them accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. The people of the First Baptist Church in Luis Correia, with whom we have partnered, are doing a wonderful job with us, as are the interpreters. Pastor Julio this afternoon said, as he was wiping his brow, "wow, and it's only Monday!" Thank you for your continued prayers. We will be conducting an evangelistic service tonight in the home of a lady who lives in Coconut Beach. Her daughter, a believer, is the headmaster of the school where our VBS is being conducted, but she was not a Christian until this morning. One of our team members led her to the Lord. As you can tell, God is already doing great things and it has already been worth all the problems we had to overcome. Give Him Praise and Glory!

This photo is of the family mentioned above with Marty (in the yellow t-shirt)

VBS in Brazil

Our God is an awesome God!

Update

To my faithful readers, friends and family thank you to all of you who have kept my family and me in your prayers. Thank you all for your kind comments, emails, phone calls and even comments left on Erica's blog inquiring about my welfare, etc.

I am spending some time with my mother in law for a while during my recovery and didn't even bring my camera (not that I'd be posting any photos of me laying around anyway!).

It's been an interesting few days with Heather spraining her ankle at dance practice just before a football game Thursday, my recovery, Marty's mission trip, Hurrican Ike, etc. When it rains...it pours! Thankfully Hurricane Ike missed us but I know so many were not as fortunate.

I will try to be back to blogging regularly as soon as possible! Be patient, I won't be giving up that hobby any time soon! :0)

Mmmmm Mmmmm Good!

Soon after I arrived home from the hospital Friday afternoon my mom, my sister Regina, and my niece Danille arrived after their long drive from Missouri to stay with me a few days. They'd been planning to come down and help take care of me as I recovered from my surgery. I spoke to Mom a few days before my surgery and she was in the middle of canning jellies, pickles, and was hoping to get some apple butter made before the trip so she could bring me some treats. Yum! My mom is the BEST cook!!! She specializes in southern foods, especially those foods which we like to call "comfort foods." Her homemade chicken and noodles is to die for!!!

I have never liked pickes. Can't. Stand. Them. She makes a version of pickles that even I like. They're called cinnamon pickles. They're made from the cucumbers that are too large really and have too many seeds to make good pickles from. I'm not sure how they're made except that lots of red hots are used. They are so sweet, cinnamon-tasting and so good!

Cinnamon Pickles:

She brought me 3 jars of elderberry jelly. I don't even know what an elderberry is. She and Grandma always made elderberry jelly and it's my favorite jelly. I've never seen it in stores and people from places other than the Ozarks have seldom even heard of the stuff. I'm not a huge fan of jelly anyway unless it's grape...or of course elderberry.



She also found the time to make apple butter from apples off my grandpa's farm. I knew she was bringing me the jelly and pickles but the apple butter was a surprise. She wasn't sure she'd get it made before time to leave for Texas.



Now I'm hoping I'll feel up to making some biscuits very soon!!!

Friday Night Lights

I've been home, sleeping most days, as I recover from surgery. Unfortunately I missed last Friday night's first football game. I will have to miss this week's out of town game as well but hopefully will be ready for the following game.

Thankfully Marty and our friend Billy were both able to capture some photos of Heather for me during the halftime show. I thought I'd have felt like catching up on blogs by now but no. Keep watching. I'll slowly get caught up again.

The dancers in the stands

Heather with the band

Heather's the one in the very center here

Heather during the dance portion of the half time show. She's the center one in these photos:

Thanks again Marty and Billy for getting the photos I could not!!!