Fabulous Friends

Hanging out with the princess girls- love them heaps!

We only met this year as Debbie and her family moved up to São Paulo from another city in Brazil.  We have become good friends and have had some good times together.  We were able to co-host a piano recital in May.  I was able to visit her friends in Curitiba (the city she used to live in) and see Brazil´s branch of Radio Bible Class.  Here we are at her husband´s birthday party.

Debbie's husband and me with the chocolate popcorn!

Susie and I met at church where she and her husband lead the small group I am a part of.  She has given me many rides, had me over for dinner, and blessed me with her wisdom.  Another strong woman of God who I will miss!

One of my former students and I at church on my last Sunday.  I will miss her hugs for sure!!  We both have a great love for brownies that unites our hearts.  

My former Portuguese teacher had me over for breakfast.  Here I am with her younger sister and two children.

Ana and me

Her sweet children 

End of the Year!

We had food in our classroom and then went over to my house for some games and fun.  Each child had a chance to talk about what they enjoyed about first grade.  It was really nice.  

This guy said he wanted his own picture. He did not want to be part of the group photo!  They make me laugh.

Two first graders singing praises to Jesus at our Elementary Talent Show.  Not much can top that!

The 1st-5th graders sang at the year end assembly.  1st grade was front and center!

A couple of goodbyes with students from last year...now moving on to 3rd grade!

Guard Party

To celebrate our last English lesson of the year we had a little party with American food.  I even made chocolate chip cookies using my mom´s recipe.  Too bad they didn´t turn out quite like home!

  

It just happened to be the birthday of one of the guards as well so they all learned "Happy birthday" in English!

Community Group

We had a BBQ for our last Community Group meeting and of course some street hockey!

Here´s a bit from Dad´s vs. Kids

 

Enjoying the day

Miles and I preferred to play bad-mitten 

Later he invited me to eat dessert with him up in the tree house.   

Girls Group

For our last Girls Group we went bowling and had American Pizza!  We had some time to reflect on the kind things we did for our friends the past month and time to just enjoy their company!

Each girl had a turn with the princess crown

 

 

The girls

  The adults

 The Little Sister

The Whole Gang!

Pico do Jaraguá

At the top of this peak you can look out over the city.  Kim, Katie (in grey and pink) and I went last January and made the trip again this May with Kim´s niece and nephew who came to visit.  It is hard to tell from this picture, but you can look out over the city and as far as you can see there are skyscrapers.  Its a pretty incredible view!

We saw this little guy that is kind of like an anteater.  I am not exactly sure what he is.  

Katie and I in front of the bamboo forest

 

It is so tall!

People feeding the monkeys.  I think this is the closest I have been to them...only a couple feet away.  They are hard to see in this picture, but there were a couple on the bench.

There was a fun park at the base for our little gymnast!

Spanish Buddies

The high school Spanish Class came for a visit a couple of times to teach our students Spanish.  It was great fun and we learned a lot!