It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like....

Christmas!!

Decorating for Christmas accidentally happened early for us.......like the week before Thanksgiving early.

That's just not right....I know.

But...we had a great time, even Daddy participated this year which was a rare treat! Usually, after he hears the first Christmas song played on my Bing Crosby CD...that ruins him for the entire season. ---I'm still not quite sure what got into him this year to actually plan a date to decorate the tree.....and that date being BEFORE Thanksgiving. But I'm not complaining!

In trying to keep with my frugal decorating habits, I proudly purchased my first ever can of snow! I excitedly opened up the package of stencils with beautiful snowy visions dancing in my head. But what I ended up with was a huge, wet, nasty, waste of money mess. Take my advice, spend a little more and get window stickers. Snow in a can is not worth the savings.



"Yeah....It's Christmas Time in The City....I mean ....Portugal....and Nanny and Pa Paw are coming to see us!"




Finally I've got kids tall enough to reach the top of the tree. I remember when all the decorations hung on the bottom third of the tree. I would leave them there, no matter how bad I wanted to move them around after the kids bedtime. It just didn't seem right to rearrange them.

I don't have to worry about that any more......they grow up so fast!

I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving. We had a fantastic time! After celebrating with three American basketball players that are here without family, we went on Friday about 1.5 hrs south of here to celebrate with three other missionary families. I forgot my camera...gasp!...so I don't have pictures. You'll just have to take my word on it....we had a great time!

Ministry opportunities are abundant right now and we are staying extremely busy these days. The services at both of the churches we are ministering in are going well, with two ladies accepting Christ as their Savior a few weeks ago!

I'm about to busy myself making baked goods in an attempt to minister here locally to neighbors and shop owners. We are so thankful and grateful for the friends God has placed in our lives these last 22 months. It's hard to believe it's almost been 2 years.

God is Good!

Love you all.....

It Just Doesn't Feel Like....

Thanksgiving to me.....


but I'm not going to let that keep me from wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

It's business as usual around here. Sort of a sad day. But I want you to enjoy every bit of your turkey, family, friends.

Happy Thanksgiving from Portugal,
Nina

And now.......from my favorite guest blogger, my husband.

It's Still Thanksgiving

Imagine having a 23 year old daughter, fresh out of college, living half way around the world in a land where virtually everything is foreign, different, and strange. It would be difficult enough seeing her go that far alone, but the desire to reach out and hug her or kiss her on the cheek must grow exponentially at certain times.

If you were in this situation, as a parent, wouldn't you want someone to be kind to your daughter or son, especially during the seasons of loneliness and depression that creep up around the holidays. If during no other time of the year, when Thanksgiving and Christmas arrive, people are vulnerable.

Separation hurts more when we notice that almost everybody we pass has a place to go celebrate, to make festive. We, as social beings, need family and friends. We desire a certain familiarity.

Do you want to spend Christmas alone in a restaurant struggling to communicate, while choking down grilled sardines or weird smelling salted cod? Without a doubt, at times, exotic can be good, but nothing beats a turkey dinner with sweet tea, topped off with banana pudding for desert. It might not be mom's, but yesterday we tried to make it as close to mom's as we could.

All of that and more, is why my wife spent all day in the kitchen yesterday, cooking, cleaning, and cooking some more. It was the day before Thanksgiving, a normal day here in Portugal, as is Thanksgiving day, but we invited three professional basketball players to spend part of the day with us. All three are Americans in their 20s, and none of them had plans for one of the most important American holidays that exists.

No, Portugal does not celebrate Thanksgiving. Most of the Portuguese folks have never heard of such a thing and when it is explained to them, we can tell that such a holiday seems a bit trivial.

So, Victor, John, and Amaka came over and ate way too much before having to go back to practice that evening. We didn't have the Macy's Day parade, neither did we have the Detroit Lions or the Dallas Cowboys, but we did have one another. We all spoke the same language and we ate familiar food. We laughed and reminisced.

They played Uno with the kids and drank fruit punch kool-aid until no white could be seen inside their mouths. When everything was said and done, we doled out more kool-aid packets of the preferred flavors, stuffed sandwich bags with homemade brownies and then loaded up the van to take them “to work.” While getting ready to go, the lamentations were both loud and heartfelt. One of the guys said that after a meal like that all he wanted to do was go back home, relax, and use the bathroom! So much for running up and down a basketball court and having someone yell at him in another language.

Coach didn't get much out of the star Americans last night, but all three of them now know that they are loved and that they have a home away from home. Mom and Dad probably won't ever read this article, but if by chance they do, I'd like to let them know that they can rest assured that we'll take care of their “young-uns” as if they were our own. Christmas is right around the corner, and they won't have to spend it alone.

All In The Name Of Exercise

Okay...here is the situation.

This is a true story. I kid you not.

While exercising outside yesterday with my dog, he jumped up on my backside and pulled my skirt down to my knees!

In plain sight of the neighbors who were out enjoying the beautiful weather....and moon!


Moral of the story.....

-wear clothes that fit while exercising
-leave the dog inside
-rest on Sunday's like God intended

God does have a sense of humor.

Stupidity - Guest Blogger

Touch a gun, go to jail

Confessedly, I have very little to exactly no patience for complete idiocy. It forces my heart to pump so feverishly that my very capillaries feel as though they may explode at any moment. Idiocy alone has the power to completely refashion our society into a bunch of lemming-like yes men without any capacity to process information, assess a particular situation, and arrive at a proper, logical conclusion. It threatens the foundations of justice itself and is most egregious at the highest levels of government.

This week's case in point comes straight from the land of fish and chips, the United Kingdom. There Paul Clarke, a former soldier faces a minimum, yes, minimum of five years in prison for turning in an assault weapon at the local police precinct. There is no evidence that he either purchased or discharged the weapon. Neither did he threaten anyone. His only obvious crime was having a brain.

As reported by the daily, Surrey Today, Clarke found a plastic bag in his backyard, so he retrieved it and inside discovered a sawed off shotgun with ammunition. Next, he did what any reasonable, law-abiding bloke would do under the circumstances. He phoned the police chief, advising him that he would be coming to see him at the station. When he arrived and removed the shotgun from the garbage sack, placing it on a table facing the wall, (simultaneously showing that he understood proper gun safety and he intended no one any harm) he was immediately arrested for possession of a firearm.

What?!

Evidently all the city's public servants are muttonheads because the case actually went to trial. The prosecutor argued that Clarke's intent (to make his town a safer place) was irrelevant and that the moment he touched the weapon, he was guilty.

Come again?

Somebody had to have bullied that attorney as child because there is no other way that he could have possibly ended up being such a tool.

But, I get it, now. The powers that be really preferred that he do nothing but call and report the incident while leaving the short barreled killer for neighborhood kids to play with. Maybe he shouldn't have done anything at all so that the drug dealer who tried to hide it could return, retrieve it, and employ it in the next drive-by.

Sticking with the appropriate “sheeple” metaphor of everyone ground gazing as they shuffle toward the cliff, the jury of Clarke's peers followed in Orwellian lock-step and convicted him while only deliberating for twenty minutes. They must have been late for the Spice Girls Reunion Tour or Manchester United's latest row.

Now a good man, who faithfully served his country runs the risk of spending at least half a decade behind bars because practically everyone involved in the situation is an idiot.

Yes, it's a strong word, but I believe completely applicable and terrifyingly accurate in its definition.

We have a rule in my home that we don't use the S-word, ever. Not that one – a different one. We don't use the word, stupid. However, I'm breaking my own rule right now when I say that whoever arrested, prosecuted, and convicted Paul Clarke of Surrey, England is stupid.

Bottom line: I'm glad I don't live there, for if I did I would definitely have to move.

Written by Michael Andrzejewski

Empty Classroom

My oldest daughter is home from school today. But it doesn't have anything to do with a runny nose, cough or pig flu.

Her teacher is on strike.



Not the whole school. Not the other three teachers in her tiny, rural elementary school. Just her teacher.

And the reason is this....

....she doesn't want to change classrooms.

Apparently, the "higher ups" told her to move her students to a smaller classroom and allow a group of kindergartners to have her classroom because it's closer to the library.

I guess maybe the smaller kids will get cold walking the extra 10 steps necessary for them to get to the library from their current location.

I mean, really...this school is tiny. My house is almost as big as the school. How much closer can the kindergartners get to the library. Maybe they should just have class in the library, that will fix the problem.

So, with tears staining her cheeks, teacher Gloria will remain home this morning until noon when the show off will begin. Teacher Gloria has had the same group of students since they were 1st graders, as the teacher advances with her classroom each year until they leave for middle school. She's had these kids for 4 years now, in the same classroom, at the same desks, taught on the same blackboard.

I think she's being a little too emotional, but us women are guilty of that from time to time.

So at noon, I will join with the other parents at the school in protest.

Us against the "higher ups".

Update: Teacher Glória gets to keep her room!

Running....Can I Do It?

For years now, I've secretly admired runners.

Those folks you always see on the side of the road that seem to run forever, never stopping.

I remember telling my husband back a few years ago about my desire to be a runner. It was the first time I said it out loud and I remember feeling like a dufus while telling him...the exact thing I didn't want to happen. Wishing I had just kept it to myself.

When I was a kid and had to run the mile in PE class, I was always one of the kids that finished last. It seemed like the entire class would be inside the track cheering me to finish before the 12 minute time limit was reached. Telling me that if I didn't hurry, I would have to run it again tomorrow, and it was supposed to rain that day.

With shortness of breath, pain piercing my sides and my pulse so loud in my ears it was deafening, I would finish the mile just shy of 12 minutes every time.

Boy was I glad when PE was no longer mandatory and I could choose art or photography.

I've never been a good runner, but I want to become one now.

This morning, with my husbands encouragement and my kids cheering me on, I loaded up my black Lab and the two of us headed to the coast.



Choosing a running partner that won't ever utter a discouraging word was a very wise decision on my part. He was grateful for a short run along the coast that ended with a little game of fetch before heading back home. We weren't gone long, but it was a start.

It was a small victory.

Winners Announced!

Candle in the Corner Winners!!!



571- Tracie- Taiwan


489- Lindsay- Portugal -- (Woo Hoo! Contact me Lindsay!)


602- Nancy- Paraguay


439- Mellie- Spain


402- Gena- Russia


462- Garry- Argentina


6- Maria- Brazil


135- Theresa T.- Botswana


42- Joyce- South Africa


620- Elaine (Extra entry for linking)- Montana


106- Maribeth- Uganda


415- Tanya- Indonesia


The total amount raised: $4065!! Praise the Lord! This amount will be split between all the missionary families that participated in this event!

Thank you to Heidi for all your hard work to make this event not only possible, but successful!

A very special thank you from my heart to those of you who gave! May God's abundant blessings shower you!!

Playing Catch Up

Do you ever feel like you just can't catch up?

Like there is always something that needs to be done?

Well, that's how it's been lately for me.

We've just been so busy.

Last week, we had my Uncle and Aunt, missionaries on deputation to India, visit with us for a few days. It was such a joy and encouragement having them here with us. They were able to share a little with our congregation about what God has done and is doing in their lives and in the lives of the Indian people. Folks seems to be very interested and many made commitments to pray for them daily. My Aunt sang at the beginning of the service and I cried immediately, more so out of missing her and her singing than anything else. But I saw many crying during her song, which doesn't happen very often in the the churches here. I was so thankful to be a part of that service! You can view my Uncle and Aunts ministry presentation here.

These two people are very precious to us....

-My Uncle married Michael and I.
-My Aunt sang at the ceremony.
-Michael was saved after hearing him preach.
-Michael was his youth pastor and then associate pastor.
-My Uncle helped us dedicate all 5 of our children.
-My Uncle preached our "charge" message to us just days before leaving the States.
(you get my point?)
















Today is the last day for Candle in the Corner Giveaway. Winners will be announced soon. Thank you to those who gave sacrificially so that God's work can continue on across the globe. Pray for all these missionary families as the holidays approach and the lack of loved ones, family and friends could make for a difficult few months.

God Bless You all.....

I've missed you all and soon hope to be back at blogging more regularly.

Only Two Days Left

Tomorrow will be the last day to give to the Candle in the Corner Giveaway.

You can scroll down my sidebar to see 11 of the 12 giveaway items up for grabs. The 12th will be revealed tomorrow.

You can also click on any of the pictures to learn more about the work being done in that country.

Don't delay. Donate and helps support a foreign missionary family today.

Friday Photo Flashback

Back when I used to could say, "The Girls" when I referred to my children.



Before our little terror boy entered our lives and changed the world as we knew it.



These were the days of sweet, pink, little girl loves.... I cherish those days.

While carrying our fifth child I no longer prayed for the birth of a son, but for a fifth daughter. It was easier that way and I thought it cruel to bring a boy into the family after having 4 girls.

Little did I know, it wouldn't be him that suffered, but his 4 older sisters!! He can take care of himself, that's for sure. He threw us all for a loop, but it's been an amazing ride!

So...for Friday Photo Flashback, I remember the days of bows, lace and princess parties.

Without the disturbance of a little brother bombing us with army men and sweet grins. ;)

The Man Purse - Guest Blogger

European Living – the Man Purse

Adapting to a different culture can be quite a humorous adventure. Even though western Europe is, in comparison to other parts of the world, a type of sister culture to ours in the US, there still exists between the two a chasm as deep and wide as the Atlantic Ocean itself. There are differences in demeanor, styles of government, theories of nutrition, and almost anything else of which one can imagine, including fashion.

Portuguese people think differently, act differently, eat differently, than any American I know. Sometimes that is wonderful and sometimes it is terrifying.

However, throw in the other types of cultures with ties to Portugal, and it becomes infinitely more interesting. Today, Portugal is infused with people from former Portuguese colonies from around the world. In our churches here we have those who hail from Asia (Macao), Africa (Mozambique and Angola), and South America (Brazil) but all have in common their native tongue.

Knowing the various cultures present and having a strong desire to adapt to our surroundings, my family and I have tried our best to put off many Americanisms and assimilate as quickly and as best we can.

Yet, very recently I found myself roundly rejecting a cultural staple of the younger Portuguese generation – the man purse.

I dare not guess by percentage how many Portuguese men under 50 walk around with what amounts to a lady's accessory over their shoulder, but believe me, it happens much more often than it should. Sadly though, it didn't really give me pause until a few weeks ago.

One Thursday night we were cleaning up the church after our mid-week service when I noticed something that resembled a camera bag, only different, draped across the back of a chair. It was small and green with some kind of funny emblem on it. Only one other family was left in the church, so I innocently asked the father if it was his two year old daughter's toy or play purse. Then, horror of all horrors, he responded, “No, it's mine.”

Go ahead, yuck it up!

Nina looked at me mortified, but reeling from the embarrassed shock, all I could do was mutter a partially intelligible “sorry” as my mind jetted off into an alternate universe. Like trying to calculate Pi to its conclusion, ever since that night I've been trying to reconcile the man purse with universal masculinity, and like the last digit of Pi, it's just not happening.

Though it's not good enough for me, I did come up with a partial justification for this crime against God given ruggedness. (Really, could anyone be tough and carry a man purse?) Again, I'm not buying into it, but several factors do play into the pro man purse stance.

First, standard pocket size on jeans and slacks in Europe is much smaller and shallower than in the States. Secondly, the size of the Euro bills increase as the denominations increase. A five is smaller than a hundred. Money is not all the same size here; therefore, wallets are also proportionally larger. Thirdly, belt clip cell phone holders are almost entirely non-existent, and finally a powder brush gets ruined when stuffed in a back pocket. Maybe I made that last one up, but the others are true.

Valid reasons they may be, yet none are convincing enough to cause me to sling a bag over my shoulder and go out in public.

Written by Michael Andrzejewski for the LaGrange Daily News.

Spotlight on Portugal

We are the Andrzejewski Family
Church Planting Missionaries in
Northern Portugal

Michael, Nina, Brooklyn, Faith Liberty, Trinity & Justice

Portugal is in western Europe, bordered solely by Spain and the Atlantic ocean. It's home to approximately 11 million people. Most of these people live along the western coast line and know nothing of our Savior's love.


fishermen

We serve in Barcelos where approx 124,000 souls reside.

Barcelos is a small town known for its pottery and the most widely-recognized symbol of Portugal -- the Barcelos Cockerel.

A 13th-century legend says a pilgrim on his way to Santiago de Compostela stopped in Barcelos and was wrongly accused of theft and sentenced to death by hanging. He was spared when he stated that to prove his innocence, the roasted rooster that the judge was about to eat would get up and crow. It did, and since then, brightly painted ceramic cockerels are sold throughout Portugal as symbols of good luck.

Barcelos Rooster


canal

We've had the privilege of serving in this beautiful country full of culture and history for the last 20 months.


baptism at the river

We share the story of Jesus with any who will listen.

stone pic nic table


Viana




Barcelos


Guimaraes

In Barcelos is a large weekly market held every Thursday for the last several hundred years. It's a tourist attraction for folks from all walks of life. It was at this market where I purchased the items I will be giving away as part of the Candle in the Corner Giveaway.

market

Of course I had to buy a Portuguese Rooster!!


Ceramics and textiles are two of Portugal's largest exports. However, this rooster isn't ceramic. It's metal which will help insure it reaches your home safely. The tag explains the legend..in about 6 different languages, in case your interested! ;)

click to enlarge

All of the roosters are hand painted. No two are alike.


The second item is one of the textiles that are exported, a set of three table runners.










And for this special occasion......

Drum Roll Please......


Here is my first ever vlog!

Disclaimers:
1. That's my dog panting in the background!
2. Yes, I am as country sounding as you thought I'd be.
3. I can't stand this video, but because I LOVE missions, I'm posting it.
4. I even added some of the "bloopers" at the end, so you'd know how difficult doing a vlog really is!











Thank you for your interest in missions and the Candle in the Corner Giveaway!

Candle In The Corner Kick Off

IT IS TIME!!!!!

Kick Off Is Today
&
Early Bird Double Entry Day!

Go on over to Heidi's blog and read all the details. It's a wonderful giveaway/fundraiser for missionaries around the world.

Candle in the Corner giveaway is a chance for you to help support missionaries in other "corners of the world" that could be facing financial hardships due to the dollars struggle to keep up with some of the other world currencies.

It's easy to donate and the rules are simple. Each day over the next two weeks she will be highlighting missionaries from these different countries:

Spain
Portugal
Indonesia
Taiwan
South Africa
Russia
Paraguay
Uganda
Brazil
Argentina
Botswana

On these days, each represented missionary will reveal their items to be given away. Your donation will automatically enter you for all of the drawings.

However, Today you can earn double entries by donating!

So go on over....she even did a VLOG!! Who can resit a video!?
Heidi is an angel for doing this to help missionaries around the globe....even going as far as to video herself in an effort to help encourage you to participate!

Heidi, You're awesome....Thank you!

Faith's 9th Birthday & Flashback

Today we celebrated Faith's 9th birthday with her classmates at school. It's amazing how laid back the teachers are to allow Mom's and Dad's to come at the end of the school day and have a party. It's a lot of fun, especially when we take red velvet cupcakes! Her friends at school have never seen such a thing!





Candles are SO cool in Portugal!


Notice my husbands bald head. That's Faith's teacher on the right. Maybe you grandparents can find Brooklyn, Lib and Trin in this photo too? Click to enlarge it.


Faith receiving her birthday kisses from her teacher.


Chocolate milk boxes, cupcakes and a basket of bubbles!


The bubbles were a hit! All the kids loved them.


Faith is always around the boys...or maybe the boys are always around her? With that blond air, blue eyes and her contagious laughter, it's hard to stay away I guess.



And for my Friday Photo Flashback......



Faith when she was two, sneaking to eat the icing on top of the cake.



Tomorrow we'll have another party here at the house and again on Sunday at church. We're all about celebrating around these parts! Wish some of you could come celebrate with us.....sniff.

Have a great weekend ya'll!

Precious Souls

.....I was having a particularly bad day...one where nothing seemed to go right. Where my husband seemed to do everything wrong and my kids were forgetting how to do the basic things I taught them years ago, like matching clothes, brushing their teeth and putting their cereal bowl in the sink.

Then the buzzer rang from the font gate. It was the beloved delivery truck for the post office but it wasn't a box full of goodies like we usually get from time to time, it was a roll of something I could see in my husbands hands from across the den. I continued on with my normal morning routine that seemed to be getting the best of me....when he called out after me, "I hope this puts you in a better mood!"

"It's for me?" I asked.

I took the roll and saw the return label....My first though was that I hadn't ordered anything....maybe someone had sent me a gift!? Nawhhh...couldn't be.

After spending entirely too much time opening the roll, careful not to smudge, or tear or wrinkle any of the contents, I unrolled the most adorable "Portuguese Galo"!



It wasn't just beautifully drawn, but drawn entirely in MY name!! How could anything be so beautiful when it was drawn out of my name, when I had been so ugly all morning to my family. I was instantly humbled, and a tear filled my eye as I read closely and saw underneath the rooster the words, "To a dear blogger friend".



I was in disbelief.

God is so very good to have put such sweet, precious people in my life that I've never personally met. Yet these same people have ministered to my soul, time and time again.



Thank you Maria, I love it!



........................................................................................................................

Click here to see other beautiful drawings by Maria and to place your order for Christmas! You won't be disappointed!

My Inner Martha

Check me out!!

You never knew I had it in me, did you?

Am I cool or what?! I actually made this ridiculous looking thing! I'm not sure if I like it, but I'm making more to see if I get better over time.



Scarves are necessary winter wear in northern Portugal, not just accessories. I only had one last winter, and that just doesn't get it. Thus began my search on how to make a cheap, cool scarf.



This one was certainly cheap.....but I'm not sure about the cool part. Here is a video if you're interested in learning how to weave a scarf from left over scraps of fabric, an old piece of wood and screws.

The lady on the video said she liked to 'freestyle' when she made her scarves. In other words...anything goes! Fringegirl has made one too. I like hers better, but I'm tired of comparing myself to her. We've already battled it out in the kitchen with the help of Zeus and Feona.

Here is the beginning of my second one. I've made two looms, a smaller kids sized one and an adult sized one.



I'll begin taking orders next week.




Yeah, right.

Friday Photo Flashback

I have wanted to participate in Friday Photo Flashback for quite a while now, but couldn't because all of my "pre-digital" photos were in the States. However, in a few days, my Uncle and Aunt will be visiting and bringing a few of my old pictures with them!! Yipee....now you get to see some pictures that will really make you laugh!

So for now, here is one from a few years ago. Not pre-digital, but a flashback none the less.

This is me with my African Grey parrot, Livingstone. He was named after the great missionary/explorer David Livingstone. I adored him so very much, but he was one of the precious belongings we had to leave when we moved to Portugal. He now has a home with a preacher friend of ours and is happy enjoying his life in Virginia.

(That's Justice in the pumpkin seat)

Fall Give a Way!

Becka over at Because of Him is having her first ever give a way!

Go on over and check it out!!

Nina

Lemon Pound Cake

And it's as yummy as it looks!

Reminds me of Sunday dinners In Collinsville with my Stepdads family....of fried chicken, rolls and all the Dr. Pepper us kids could drink.

Reminds me of fireworks and egg hunts and the excitement I felt when I won the HUGE prize egg filled with all the grown-up's money.

Reminds me of 6 hour card games around the kitchen table, target practice and of loud belly laughs that could be heard all over the house.

Reminds me of having to scream so Mawmaw could hear me, and moving out of her chair very quickly so she wouldn't sit on me.



Some recipes aren't just recipes...they're memories....and they're priceless.

Lemon Pound Cake

1 1/2 Cups softened butter
3 Cups sugar
8 eggs (yes...I said 8)
3 Cups all-purpose flour (No Mom, self-rising won't work!)
1 T plus 1.5 t lemon extract
1 T plus 1.5 t lemon juice (throw in a little zest too)

Cream butter, gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs; one at a time, beating well after each one. Add flour, mixing well. Stir in lemon juice and extract. Pour batter into greased and floured bundt pan.

Bake at 350 for about and hour and 15 minutes. Or until tooth pick inserted comes out clean. (Only took an hour in my extremely strange oven)




It's easy, it's good and it's fattening. What more could you ask for!

Nina

Blog Party Details...Finally!

Heidi over at Moms, Ministry and More has invited me to participate in an event to help raise funds to support overseas missions. It's a type of giveaway.

However..... it's not your usual giveaway. It's so super cool I can hardly stand it! It doesn't begin until Oct 27, but go on over and read about it....then come back and tell me if it's not the coolest idea around!

I get to participate by donating cultural items from my field of service (Portugal, for you slow folks) to be given away. I had the best time shopping for my giveaway items, but I can't show you what they are yet.....I know...secrets...suspense.....this is SO fun!! I LOVE surprises!

You will have opportunities to get extra entries by helping promote the event on your blog or social networking site.

Stay tuned for more details!


Nina

( P.S. Have ya'll missed me?)

I Need Your Help

I'm a lady in search of a new hobby.

I've photographed as a hobby.
I've read as a hobby.
I've baked, quilted and blogged as a hobby.
I've slept as a hobby.
I've square danced, eaten and made candles as a hobby.

Now I'm wondering what's left to do?

(Maybe my issue isn't needing a new hobby but a greater attention span.)

Any suggestions? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Oh...and I was just kidding about the square dancing part.

Nina

Precious Fellowship

I'm back!

And I came back bearing pictures...just like I promised!

We attend a Fundamentals of the Faith conference in southern Portugal. It was quite a journey for us since we live in the extreme northern part of the country, but well worth it. The fellowship alone with other missionaries was so encouraging. We were in church most of the time we were there, but I managed to squeeze in a few hours of sightseeing and of course picture taking for you guys!

;)

I was so excited about the 6 hour drive down to Albufeira. I just new I'd see some beautiful sights along the way. Well, I was surprised to see the bottom almost third of the country was basically desert.



For several hours, this was our landscape. I was beginning to doubt that we'd ever arrive in The Algarve. One of the greatest tourist spots in western Europe.



But, finally we did....and what a sight it was!!






Before church one evening we strolled through the old streets in the center of town, lined with cafes and little shops selling souvenirs. The road was called Liberty Avenue.







Yes, I made my kids stand on the edge of a cliff to get this picture.




The Algarve is a popular tourist attraction for the British. This restaurant served breakfast for everyone!








Sand sculptures. Looks like this man's about to ax his wife.



Guess that's supposed to be Jagger....



...and Elvis.



We even pulled up next to the General Lee. Who would have thought...in Albufeira, Portugal!?



We were very thankful to be invited to attend the conference. I met some great folks!




Hope you all had a great weekend.

Stay tuned for the unveiling of the upcoming Blog Party! It involves lots of items from several different continents.....details are coming soon!

Bloggy Breaks and Fat Noses

I have to leave you for a few days. A type of bloggy break.

Us mainstream, hardcore bloggers get burned out from time to time, you know.

But while I'm gone I'll be thinking on all the wonderfully interesting posts I'll do for you when I return. I know, you can't contain your excitement.

So while I'm gone, leave me an encouraging comment. Tell me how you think my nose has shrunk since I've lost a little weight. We all know my feet have. Only someone like me would be concerned about the size of her nose while trying to loose weight. Are there target exercises for one's nose...hmmm?


Hopefully I'll return with some beautiful pictures...I've got a few ideas in this tiny brain of mine. I'll tell you all about my "break" when I return.

So where were we??? Oh yea, those encouraging comments......it's your turn.

See ya in a few days.

Nina

Festa in our Village

Every September our little village throws a huge party that lasts for several days.

It involves:

• very loud fireworks that are launched at all hours of the night for days on end.

• loud speakers on top of the catholic church where every one in the village can participate in mass from the comfort of their own sofa.
  

• air shows
  

• clowns

• orchestras

• bands

• carnival foods (Like farturas...heheheh!)

• bumper cars

• campaigning politicians

• and thousands of people

Most of the events we chose to skip, but we made plans to attend the activities for the kids on Saturday. Here are a few random shots.....



The kids didn't want to try a fartura....they chose huge lollypops instead.




Justice reading the instructions before jumping in the inflatable.


This little girl is one of Brooklyn's friends.


Faith giving one of her best friends a hug.


These clowns were SO crude...we left early.


This guy almost landed on my head.


SURPRISE!!
Some bloggy friends and I have got a big surprise for you all! Within the next few weeks you'll be finding out more info, but it's going to be a type of "blog festa". (for you slow folks.....a blog party!) It will involve lots of cultural items from several continents......you won't want to miss this party! Stay tuned!

Nina

Things you Don't Say to Your Wife