15 January 2009
Thanks for the Memories!
So for all the family and friends that are missing Aubry right now, I thought I would post her greatest moments from our trip home. Here are some highlights from a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2008! Thank you to all who loved on Aubry while we were in the States. Bree had the best time. She loved to open presents including everyone else's. She became addicted to ice chips - a fact that is making life difficult in Brazil right now since we don't have ice makers. She loved all her toys and attention and best of all she loved being with all of you!!! Enjoy the clips. Let us know which video's your favorite!
13 January 2009
Furlough (Alabama)
Well, the changes in temperature, altitude, time zones, and bacterial environments finally caught up to us in Alabama. Aubry had bronchitis and double ear infections, then Cindy got bronchitis which turned into an upper respiratory infection, and Mary Virginia had a sinus infection that lead to bronchitis (or maybe that came straight from Aubry who knows). Matt and Rick were also sick but the men in the family never went to the doctor of course. We all were well enough by Christmas Eve to take Matt to his birthday lunch and take Aubry to see Santa (the Bass Pro Santa was a really good one this year)! Christmas was so fun with Aubry opening her (and everyone else's) presents! She had a blast and is certainly the most doted over child I know (being the 1st grandchild and 1st great grandchild). She got so much attention and so many toys that it will take months to deprogram her and get her back to her normal routine again. Not only did we have a great time with family in Alabama but we also got to visit many supporters despite being sick. We had a wonderful time in Cullman and Huntsville and at Riverchase. Also, Matt went to Sheffield to visit our supporting church there. Should anyone want to see our 12 min. video from this year's work in Salvador, Brazil, simply go to our teammates blog "Quirey Life" under our links. Thanks for all who prayed for our furlough time and especially for our health and travel. It went by all too fast. We miss everyone already!
22 December 2008
12 December 2008
Furlough (Missouri)
So after three long flights we made it! One of which a baby beside us cried for hours - thank goodness it wasn't ours. Aubry didn't have a meltdown and Pregnant Mommy didn't get really sick until after we reached our final destination. It was a good trip. Thanks to all who prayed for us. Our first two weeks were spent in Missouri with family, friends, and supporters. We had a big Thanksgiving in the church fellowship hall with Matt's family. It was good to do it there since his family is growing and Sienna needed the handicap facilities. (For those of you who don't know Matt's niece was in a terrible car accident recently and lost her foot and part of her leg). We played lots of games, watched Aubry show off, and ate a lot of food. The next day we even got to take Sienna bowling along with Matt's other neice, Lindsey and her husband, Andy. Sienna's first time bowling in a wheel chair and she scored 20 points higher each new game! Also, while in Missouri, Matt preached Sunday morning at Park Hills, we taught the youth class twice, we got to visit Mrs. Dotti Perryman (one of our loyal supporters) in the nursing home, and we visited with other supporters and sent reports out. We celebrated Matt's birthday and our Christmas early with his family. It was all in all a good trip that went by too fast but at least Aubry got to see her first snow! She was afraid to walk on it and made funny faces when she did and the ground went crunch!
Thanksgiving Retreat
Wow! What a great retreat we had with our team this year all made possible by a special contribution from someone in Matt's home church. Thank you. We had a full house as we took our first fun retreat with guests: Travis' parents and Jennifer's friend Tammy. We rented a place for three days just north of the city and had a great time together. Aubry followed Ceara around everywhere and it was hard to get either child out of the swimming pool. On the last day we all made our favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Our team pools together all of the American things we have brought back for this special occasion. Lots of food and lots of fun. Afterwards we had just three short days to get ready for our furlough. Leaving Salvador summer time to land in Missouri winter time.
12 November 2008
06 November 2008
Catch-up Blog
A lot has happened over the last few months since we’ve lost contact with the rest of the world. So sorry we’ve neglected our blog. This is why…
House Guests:
After the LSTers left, we had Heather’s (our intern’s) family staying with us for 2 weeks. The Alkire’s were here during our inaugural Sunday for the new building. They did a lot of preparation work to help us out. During their stay we had another visitor arrive – one of Matt’s friends from college, Diana. Diana is an art therapist who came for vacation but also to help out our new church here. She painted murals, signs, helped with our benevolence lunches, and learned a lot of portuguese in her month stay with us. Two days after the Alkires left (but while Diana was still here) the Mabery’s arrived. The Mabery’s were here for two weeks also. They got to be here for and help with Aubry’s Luau birthday party, a benevolence lunch and plant a mini garden in the back of the church building. It’s a much more inviting place on both sides now. Next, my Mom, Cindy came the week after the Mabery’s and Diana left. It was great! Christmas everyday for Aubry and we actually got two good weeks of sleep. Cindy concluded our 4 month stint of visitors but life did not get boring. Here is what else we’ve been up to during and after all the visits…
Inaugural Service:
Our inaugural service was great! We served coconut and pineapple ice cream afterwards with our inaugural cake. It was a wonderful way to show the community the transformation our presence has already made.
Aubry’s Luau:
It was an exciting, colorful, fun luau at our old apartment building. Aubry had over 63 guests. The menu was popcorn, pizza, crepes, churros, and cotton candy (and birthday cake at the end of course). The decorations were incredible – even had lighted palm trees and hanging globe lights and blow-up monkeys. We played limbo, bobb for apples, pineapple / coconut bowling, hoola-hoop contests, and the congo line! There was never a dull moment and Aubry was the life of the party in her swishy grass skirt. Thanks to both sets of grandparents for making it such a memorable first year birthday party!
Calen (Newest Team Member)
Calen is now two months old. Calen Xavier Sass was born Wednesday, August 27th 2008 9:24pm weighing at 3.210 kilos (7pounds 1 ounce) and a length of 48.5cm (19 inches). The Mabery’s were here during this blessed event and we all took Aubry and Ceara (Calen’s older sister) to the zoo. It was Aubry’s first zoo trip and the girls had the best time together.
Recent Bible Studies and Baptisms:
After our youth retreat, one of the older kids, Leandro age 20, came back wanting to study more about baptism. He and Travis did an eight week study together and during that time, Leandro became very close with the LSTers. So in August Leandro took the plunge!
Leandro is one of the few good male influences in his very large family. Which is why his cousin Gisele age 15 asked Leandro to baptize her after she finished her 2 month study with Mary Virginia. What a great September!
Gisele brought her cousin Viviane to study with Mary Virginia and Heather and Viviane was also baptized into Christ. Which has lead us on a one a month role lately!
Leandro - August
Gisele - September
Viviane - October
Benevolence Lunches
The Benevolence Lunches are still every other Saturday and are going well. We usually have between 50 and 100 come for the free meal. Our church is becoming famous in the community as a church who gives and serves.
Children’s Day
Children’s Day was a hit! Brazilian children’s day is bigger than our Christmas. Lots of games, sugar, and kids running wild! We had a trampoleen, an air castle and a ball pit at the church as part of the festivities after a big lunch together. We had many neighborhood kids come and participate. Aubry had a blast in the ball pit!!! We even had to of our senior citizens ladies, Jaci and Dona Dulce, jump in the air castle!
Theology Course
We began our first theology course at the church building with five students and five church members. Please be in prayer that this course which teaches our evangelistic bible lessons will reach the hearts of the students and will grow when we offer it again.
Youth Lock-In
We had about 20 at our annual youth lock-in. It was a fun time of devotionals, games, and activities. The kids themselves planned their own service project for Christmas. They will be collecting and taking baskets of food to less fortunate families.
New Members Class / Ministry Class
We had 10 students at our new members class and 4 students participate in our ministry class. We are excited about the new members and also about our “old” members becoming more involved in church life through these classes.
House Guests:
After the LSTers left, we had Heather’s (our intern’s) family staying with us for 2 weeks. The Alkire’s were here during our inaugural Sunday for the new building. They did a lot of preparation work to help us out. During their stay we had another visitor arrive – one of Matt’s friends from college, Diana. Diana is an art therapist who came for vacation but also to help out our new church here. She painted murals, signs, helped with our benevolence lunches, and learned a lot of portuguese in her month stay with us. Two days after the Alkires left (but while Diana was still here) the Mabery’s arrived. The Mabery’s were here for two weeks also. They got to be here for and help with Aubry’s Luau birthday party, a benevolence lunch and plant a mini garden in the back of the church building. It’s a much more inviting place on both sides now. Next, my Mom, Cindy came the week after the Mabery’s and Diana left. It was great! Christmas everyday for Aubry and we actually got two good weeks of sleep. Cindy concluded our 4 month stint of visitors but life did not get boring. Here is what else we’ve been up to during and after all the visits…
Inaugural Service:
Our inaugural service was great! We served coconut and pineapple ice cream afterwards with our inaugural cake. It was a wonderful way to show the community the transformation our presence has already made.
Aubry’s Luau:
It was an exciting, colorful, fun luau at our old apartment building. Aubry had over 63 guests. The menu was popcorn, pizza, crepes, churros, and cotton candy (and birthday cake at the end of course). The decorations were incredible – even had lighted palm trees and hanging globe lights and blow-up monkeys. We played limbo, bobb for apples, pineapple / coconut bowling, hoola-hoop contests, and the congo line! There was never a dull moment and Aubry was the life of the party in her swishy grass skirt. Thanks to both sets of grandparents for making it such a memorable first year birthday party!
Calen (Newest Team Member)
Calen is now two months old. Calen Xavier Sass was born Wednesday, August 27th 2008 9:24pm weighing at 3.210 kilos (7pounds 1 ounce) and a length of 48.5cm (19 inches). The Mabery’s were here during this blessed event and we all took Aubry and Ceara (Calen’s older sister) to the zoo. It was Aubry’s first zoo trip and the girls had the best time together.
Recent Bible Studies and Baptisms:
After our youth retreat, one of the older kids, Leandro age 20, came back wanting to study more about baptism. He and Travis did an eight week study together and during that time, Leandro became very close with the LSTers. So in August Leandro took the plunge!
Leandro is one of the few good male influences in his very large family. Which is why his cousin Gisele age 15 asked Leandro to baptize her after she finished her 2 month study with Mary Virginia. What a great September!
Gisele brought her cousin Viviane to study with Mary Virginia and Heather and Viviane was also baptized into Christ. Which has lead us on a one a month role lately!
Leandro - August
Gisele - September
Viviane - October
Benevolence Lunches
The Benevolence Lunches are still every other Saturday and are going well. We usually have between 50 and 100 come for the free meal. Our church is becoming famous in the community as a church who gives and serves.
Children’s Day
Children’s Day was a hit! Brazilian children’s day is bigger than our Christmas. Lots of games, sugar, and kids running wild! We had a trampoleen, an air castle and a ball pit at the church as part of the festivities after a big lunch together. We had many neighborhood kids come and participate. Aubry had a blast in the ball pit!!! We even had to of our senior citizens ladies, Jaci and Dona Dulce, jump in the air castle!
Theology Course
We began our first theology course at the church building with five students and five church members. Please be in prayer that this course which teaches our evangelistic bible lessons will reach the hearts of the students and will grow when we offer it again.
Youth Lock-In
We had about 20 at our annual youth lock-in. It was a fun time of devotionals, games, and activities. The kids themselves planned their own service project for Christmas. They will be collecting and taking baskets of food to less fortunate families.
New Members Class / Ministry Class
We had 10 students at our new members class and 4 students participate in our ministry class. We are excited about the new members and also about our “old” members becoming more involved in church life through these classes.
12 August 2008
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