I hope this update finds you and your loved ones well and full of hope. Hope for better days to come. Hope for works accomplished to bear their fruit. Hope for dreams still unrealized. Hope for prayers still unanswered. Above all, may you know this Christmas that there is no greater hope than the arrival of the Savior, Jesus Christ. I just turned in my last paper of the semester and we now have a week off as a family before we travel to the countryside to visit Joyce's extended family. This will be their first time to meet the boys! It will be a memorable time as Joyce's parents will be there, too.
The following are a few highlights and ruminations from the past several weeks:
Pac-Man of life
One day while riding the subway I noticed a young man's tattoo on his outstretched arm - it was Pac-Man (in true dot-matrix) chomping on dots while being chased by his colorful ghost enemies. It was one of the more unexpected tattoos I've ever seen. As I wondered what would inspire someone to permanently ink Pac-Man on his forearm, I began to think a little deeper. How often do we feel like we're caught in a box turning corners as fast as we can to chomp a few dots in pursuit of a fruit as we try to avoid the "boogey men" of life? Wouldn't it be nice to come across one of those power dots so you can turn right around and chase the ghosts? Or maybe stumble across an escape tunnel that lets you outwit your oppressors? "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." - Psalm 91:1
Fireworks and studying
Finals week was a bit more intense than planned because we had taken a family retreat with Joyce's parents the week before and I accidentally left my backpack at the door of our apartment. The weekend was a blast and very refreshing. During finals, however, I got a small taste of what it might be like to be a student in a war zone. Two São Paulo soccer teams were in major international tournaments (South American and World Championships) so people were shooting off fireworks (yes, not just firecrackers) throughout the city all day and night for a week. Try concentrating, sleeping, staying sane through that!
"Daddy, if you're having trouble..."
Austin is a great helper. He loves to help Joyce in the kitchen and be the big brother who helps Jonathan with just about anything. As I was wrestling with my final paper this week, Austin came to my side and reassured me in his gentle, but increasingly confident, voice, "Daddy, if you're having trouble, I'll do it. Okay?" Thank God for little gifts like that!
Projects
By God's grace we've completed the third of four semesters of grad school. One more semester to go! Joyce and I have been learning a lot both inside and outside of the classroom. For example, I learned how to run electrical wire while helping our friends build a community center in Cidade Tiradentes. Joyce has learned how to make barbecue sauce in a pinch. We've both learned that every day is a new day to surrender to God, to say yes to His will, and to experience the abundance of His love. We can't rely on past journeys, as much as we can learn from them, as we walk with God today much less tomorrow. "[We] press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14
God bless you and have a Merry Christmas!
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