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I LOVE spending Christmas in Kansas City with our family and I also LOVE the cold! We are so blessed with our girls, our sons-in-law, Luca, and now Sophia's boyfriend Kyle.
We always have an amazing and sweet time when we are all together. It is such a blessing to watch the kids being friends and enjoying being with each other.
Also, being a grandparent is probably the best thing in the world! We got to take care of Luca (14 months old) for 6 days while mark and Bella were on a trip and it was so much fun. We were exhausted (the little guy gets up around 5:30 am and goes non-stop pretty much the rest of the day), but we had the best time with him. He was so good, so polite, and so sweet. He wanted to eat and read books all day long.
We love him so much!
In early January we got to take a road trip and visit some family and friends in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Maryland.
We had the best time!
And just like that, our time in the US went by so fast and we are back in Brazil.
Someone asked me just the other day if one country feels more like "home" than the other. I stopped for a second and my answer was that right now I feel as though I belong in 2 different places. Our lives are completely different in the US and in Brazil, but we are the same people and its not always easy (actually for me its quite hard at times), but we pray to make the most of it and to fulfill our purpose wherever we are. That question really made me think about how amazing God is. Years ago I would have said that the US was home, and that Brazil was where I was born and liked to visit. Today, my heart is fully here in Brazil and I feel so blessed to be able to be here. Life looks nothing like what I dreamed of or envisioned, but it is WAY better than I could have imagined. Even in the hard times, I see God's goodness, His provision, His leading and I feel His love. There are days where I feel my chest tightening up if I think of my kids, Luca and our family. I miss them and I never wanted to be so physically far away, but even if I cry or feel sadness, I know that God has a good and perfect plan. I have no idea what tomorrow holds, and I want to be where He wants me and I want to fulfill His purpose for my life. The cost seems HUGE at times, but He paid for my life with His life. Saying Yes to a life led by the Holy Spirit will bring about the best that God has for you.
We've already had some great experiences being here just for about 2 1/2 weeks and there is a lot more to come in the next weeks.
I love seeing people touched by the love and power of Jesus. It is an honor to serve and to be able to play a small part in what God is doing here in Brazil.
Our niece Danielle is here with us, and she is fitting right in. Enjoying the beautiful weather, the food and the late nights. She also says she loves how welcoming people are and how much time is spent around the table in fellowship. Brazilians are really good at making you feel right at home and feeding you :)
Thank you for praying for us!
We love to hear from all of you.
Keep in touch!
Much love,
Débora
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