Hello 2009!

Usually on New Year's I get together with some friends (or my mom), and we watch movies, play cards, or make videos of ourselves lip-syncing to weird songs (ok, that was only once...). Whatever my past New Years plans were, they almost always included movies and sparkling grape juice, a tradition started by my dear mother several years ago.

Well, this year was similar yet so very different. I did spend New Year's Eve with friends, and I did play cards. But that's where the similarities ended. It all started with pie confusion. I was going to make a chocolate pie for the dinner but didn't have enough pudding, so I went to the grocery store. Bad idea. I had no desire to wait in a line that wound all the way through the produce section (for those of who have never been to the Hiper on Antonio Basilio, take my word for it, that line was LONG). I left without buying anything. I ended up making a very small version of the pie, which was just as good!!

Anyway, after the pie fiasco, I went to the church to wait for the arrival of 2009. I played some cards, then we had a big dinner and watched a slideshow (without any pictures of me sleeping!). A few minutes before midnight, we went to the 3rd floor balcony so we could see the fireworks throughout the city. We prayed right before mdinight. As soon as the new year arrived, everyone hugged everyone (and I do mean EVERYONE. I think the only people I didn't hug were some of the Americans...surprising.) and said "Feliz Ano Novo!" This of course means 'Happy New Year' in Portuguese. To end the night, we went downstairs to have dessert (my chocolate pie attempt mixed with Mousse de Maracuja, yum!). Then I went home and slept. So, my New Year's was different but great! Although I did miss sparkling grape juice.

I decided several years ago not to make resolutions because I never keep them for more than a week (ok, two days). This time though I did have a hope (yes, there is a big difference between a resolution and a hope). I hoped that I could be less forgetful and have less "oops" moments (also known as "oh crap" moments). No such luck. So far, I'm just as forgetful and have already spilled plenty of liquids. At least I haven't broken anything yet...Ah but the year's still young...

Today marked exactly 6 months that I've been in Natal. What a great 6 months it's been! In honor of this grand anniversary and the new year, I'm going share with you a few of the joys I've found living here.

- Fans (the kind that keep me from sweating into nothing but a puddle)
- Reading in the hammock
- Cheek kisses
- Washing ants down the drain (you'd love it too if they tried to take over your bed, couch, toilet, food...)
- Getting all 20s from the ATM
- Learning a new Portuguese word or phrase then using it correctly in conversation
- Praying in Portuguese for the first time (well, that was more nerve-wracking than joyful but nonetheless cool)
- Playing cards at the church
- Having exact change for the bus
- Waiting less than 10 minutes for the bus
- Walking up to the bus stop just as your bus arrives
- The cute old man who delivers our water and greets me every time I walk by
- Mangoes
- Açai
- Learning to correctly cut a pineapple and a mango
- Being told I'm ready to be married for knowing how to do things like cutting a pineapple, making rice, and washing dishes (you know, the important stuff)
- Tan lines (they mean I actually have a tan)
- Habacuque, the Portuguese word for Habbakuk, pronounced like "Have a cookie" (I get way more pleasure out of that than a 23 year old missionary probably should...)
- Hearing words from the Holy Spirit come out of my mouth
- Seeing readers become followers of Jesus
- Watching God work in the lives of His people in other parts of the world
- Being loved by people in another language
- Getting comments/Facebook messages/wall posts/emails from all of YOU!

Wow. That was a lot. See why I love it here so much?

Thank you for helping to make 2008 such a wonderful year for me!! I pray that God blesses you this year ten times more than you have blessed me. May 2009 bring you lots of little joys, big joys, love, happiness, and adventures!