Is This Julia?

Julia gets very excited when she sees her picture on the frig and heartily agrees with her mommy that she is, indeed, Julia.

You Can Do It, Julia!

Julia is trying to figure out how to make her legs and arms work together. Keep trying, Julia!

Toolin' through God's country...

Traveling home from Curitiba we drove through parts of three states: Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Two routes led to the same destination--one by the coast and the other through the mountains. We chose the mountains. They are not the Rocky Mountains by any stretch of the imagination, but they are mountains, nonetheless. We drove through apple country and grape vineyards, on steep roads cut through the rock and on the plains. We passed umpteen trucks hauling timber, passed neat rows of soybeans and hills of corn, miles of stone fences, a row of cactus along the road and dozens--nay hundreds-- of fluffy fronds like those in the pictures. We saw hydrangea bushes past their prime and houses nestled against the hills, majestic pine trees--their branches lifted to God in praise. There were tree-covered mountains, breath-taking valleys and curvy descents by the River of the Antas. And the grottos appeared recessed in the rock with Mary looking after baby Jesus, and truck after truck after truck carrying burdens too heavy to bear. Yes, it was a long 12-hour drive with many stops but an opportunity to drink in a small part of the beauty of God's great creation.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!

This is a family tradition passed on from my parents. When we're all together, we like to sing this grace.

Happy Birthday, Little Flower!

Michelle, you were my first "Brazilian" baby and while you were still in the hospital, friends came to visit us and brought two pairs of pierced earrings! I didn't know what to do because it wasn't the custom in the USA to pierce little babies' ears and the idea seemed strange to me. Before coming to Brazil I had seen little Mexican girls with pierced ears and thought it very ugly, but now I wondered if I would offend my Brazilian friends by not doing the piercing. In the end, I didn't have the courage, and we went home from the hospital without doing it. Then I changed my mind when you were two months old. I took you back to the same clinic where you were born to get your shots and had the nurses pierce your ears. They assured me you wouldn't feel a thing, but if my memory serves me well, I heard you crying....I ended up being glad I had your ears pierced. I got used to seeing Brazilian babies with pierced ears and what had once looked strange now looked normal and beautiful, and you looked so dainty and feminine and beautiful, too.

And you still do. You're a beautiful woman now. Happiest of Birthdays to you!! I love you very much and am proud to be your mama.

Happy Birthday to my Westinghouse!

My Westinghouse washing machine turned 19 years old in January and a week ago I thought it had breathed its last. Thankfully, it only needed a "basket" change. As you can see in the picture, the inner part of the basket just rusted away. This may not appear significant to you, but there is a sweet story behind it.

At the end of 1989 we were preparing for a big move...after 16 years of community-style living, we were going to move to a single-family dwelling and that meant buying a houseful of furniture. At the time of our move I was a school teacher for the missionary kids and would occasionally get a phone call from a fellow teacher who lived in the city we were moving to--Belo Horizonte. One day she called and asked if we were going to buy a washing machine. I said, no, that we were planning on having someone come in to do the washing (by hand I guess!!!) Today that sounds crazy, but those were the plans. I think my friend thought we were crazy, too. She called me two or three times and each time asked about the washing machine. We didn't buy one.

Moving day came and a new reality set in. The first day in our new house we were unpacking boxes and trying to get settled when a pickup pulled up to the house and my teacher friend and her husband got out. In the back of the pickup was a brand-new, 6 kilo Westinghouse washing machine! I couldn't believe my eyes. "I decided that if I was so worried about you having a washing machine, that maybe that was the Lord telling me I should do something about it," my friend explained. I was overwhelmed...and overjoyed. God knew better than we did that washing clothes by hand was not a good idea--not even for another person (which didn't happen).

Throughout these long 19 years, the washing machine has needed no major repair work. Our neighbor, who is also a washing machine repairman, says our machine is worth fixing up. "They don't make machines to last any more, " he's told us more than once.

So, Karen & Tom, once again I thank you from the bottom of my wee heart for your generous and useful gift that keeps on giving and blessing our lives. (And I hope you have a good washing machine, too!)

35 Years Ago...

...I remember it like yesterday. A new adventure is hard to forget. We arrived looking quite white from the ravages of Minnesota's winter, but it wasn't hard at all to ease into the balmy weather in Brazil. The first week is most memorable because we stayed at the Editora Betânia with my sister and family. I had my first taste of sugar cane juice. I thought it was terrible; it looked dirty and had pieces of the cane fibers mixed in with the juice, but I drank it obediently like new missionaries should. I don't know if that was my Waterloo, but shortly thereafter I developed Montezuma's Revenge. My sister, who is a nurse, treated me with packets of white powder dissolved in milk, and I would obediently take my medicine to get me through the days. We were wined and dined at several other missionaries' homes, and every day I was taking my white powder which was a lot like putting the plug in the sink. My sister and husband treated us to a fancy dinner in a fancy restaurant called "The Hungarian" that looked like a castle. We sat in medieval, stone-walled booths, and in the low lights the swords and shields created a Camelot atmosphere. I am sure it was God that led us to the particular booth we choose that night because about half way through the dinner, I only had time to make an Olympian dash to the bathroom that was situated only a few feet away when Montezuma hit with a revenge. If you want to know the truth, that's what I remember most about my first week in Brazil.

Orzo Pasta Salad

My daughter Michelle sent me this delicious (according to her) recipe so I decided to try it today for lunch. I went to the kitchen and didn't find orzo pasta, balsamic vinegar, radicchio, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil or pine nuts. That left only the olive oil, the black olives and the garlic, but I was up for the challenge.

Original version of Orzo Pasta Salad
1 1/2 C. orzo pasta
1/3 c. packed sundried tomatoes
5 Tbps. olive oil
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
1/4 c. black olives, chopped
1 c. radicchio, finely chopped
1/2 c. grated Parmesan
1/2 c. fresh basil, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 c. toasted pine nuts

Cook pasta, mix with oil , vinegar and olives. Let cool and mix in rest of ingredients.

Instead of the orzo pasta, I chose bow-tie, whole wheat pasta because I think bow-ties are pretty. For the sundried tomatoes I used healthier, freshly chopped ones. I squeezed most of one lime and 6 squirts of Molho Inglês (because it is the same color as the balsamic). Instead of radicchio, I blanched two tufts of broccoli in the pasta water as the pasta was cooking (to save on energy). I decided on one quarter round of light, fresh Riccotta Cheese and happily threw in a half tablespoon of dried basil. For the pine nuts, I used 8 (I am known for my ecomonic policies) pecan halves, broken by hand by yours truly. By this time my brain was spinning out of control and I added half of a large carrot, finely grated and a can of sardines, or if you prefer, sardines from one can, washed under hot water to take off the oil. It needed salt so I guessed on the amount. Presto! It was a huge success and there was enough left over so I won't have to make Sunday lunch, and if I'm lucky, Monday lunch.

Well, okay, so maybe I should change the name to something else.

Raining Cats & Dogs & ...

The rain is raining all around,

It falls on field and tree, (in our backyard)

It rains on the umbrellas here,

And on the ships at sea.

Robert Louis Stevenson

A Belated Happy Birthday, Leno!

Feeling groovy

The lovely Pappis family

I surprised Leno with these birthday cupcakes made in my new slick silicon baking cups.

We drove south and the kids drove north and we all met halfway at a restaurant for Leno's "family"birthday.

Let Me Entertain You

With his daddy's help, Eric entertains Julia at the restaurant where we celebrated Leno's birthday.

Star Gazing

I'm in western Paraná right now in a small interior town. I've found three wonderful things here: 1) our Bible Institute run by a staff of exceptional people, 2) homemade ice cream called Wailiki--a treat we always look forward to, and 3) stars!

The heavens come close to earth here in Altônia and I was star gazing just minutes ago. Away from city lights, the sky reveals its true self. There are myriads of stars up there and they twinkle so brightly with hardly a space between them. And God thought up a name for each one! How stunning is that?

Who is this God who made the heavens? Who is this God who chose to come to earth cramped inside a clay body? Who is this God who is humble enough to to sit down and chat with me, listen to me and love me? I don't understand the mystery, but I love Him.

The soft night air is perfumed by a flowering bush nearby and a bird sings its two-note song in a rhythmic pattern without missing a beat. How long it will keep this up I don't know because it is nearly one in the morning and I thought birds slept after dark. I am not tired because I drank lots of coke at our picnic tonight. Ah, what a beautiful night. I think I will star gaze a little longer before heading for bed.

GOOD ADVICE

This was written by a guy named Brett who writes columns for The Plain Dealer, a newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio.

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 70 in August, so here goes:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don 't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

HEARTS OR TEARS?

This gorgeous flowering bush is definitely on my "Favorite Flowering Bushes" list, but it's funny that in the USA its name is "Bleeding Hearts" and here in Brazil it's called "Christ's Tears" . Does this flower look more like a heart or a tear? What's your vote?

WANING CHRISTMAS CARD ANGST

I had a "red-letter"day this past week. I found four, mind you, 04 Christmas cards in my mailbox, and to keep things fair, two were from my side of the family and two from Pat's. How fortunate was that? It saved us from arguing about which family was better, more caring and more religious. I'm glad it was a tie. Now if my sister-in-law would get hers in the mail, I could put this chapter of my life to rest until next December.

"BRUEGGEMAN'S BAGELS" WATCH OUT!!

It was not the best of times. On my first attempt at making bagels, guests arrived just as the bagel water started to boil. It was supposed to be 2 minutes on one side and 1 1/2 minutes on the second. I carefully plopped the first two in the water and looked at the second hand on my watch. "Oh, blah, blah, blah," went my guest as I tried to accompany her conversation while watching my watch. "Oh, blah, blah, blah," went the children, asking a question here, me trying to respond. It soon became apparent that this was not going to work, so I gave up clock watching and went by my eyeometer. I flipped bagels in and out of that water like a pro! Next they went through the poppy seed bath and then right into the oven! Even though they looked a bit mishappen they did look like bagels. Then the real test: did they taste like bagels? Silence hung over us as mouths worked their way into the steaming dough. Mr. Pat was strangely silent. Then it was my turn to take the test: ummmmm! They tasted an awful lot like normal bread beaten into the shape of a bagel. Ummm! Ummm! Ummm! Something went wrong. But I haven't given up. Watch out, Brueggeman's!!!

The Sky's the Limit???

This was the view from my bedroom window last evening. I had to photograph it!

"Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other." Dt. 4: 39

"The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to man." Psalm 114:16

"The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake." Psalm 99:1

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him." Psalm 103: 11

GYPSY EARRINGS

"I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders." Ps. 9:1

One of Brazil's most graceful flowering trees, this one easily ranks on my "Top Five" of the most beautiful flowering trees in Brazil. Don't you agree they resemble a dangling earring? This display of originality and beauty is one more reason why I believe in a Creator God!

NEW YEAR'S DIET

The "Before" Picture

I flung the words carelessly into the air as I said goodby to Patricia: "No meat, no chicken, no fish, no dairy, no sugar." I felt like a holy monkess (the feminine form of monk) about to embark on a monkish mission. Yes, 2009 would be healthier than any other! I settled my newly-accumulated holiday fat neatly in the car as we drove away toward home on Jan. 2nd.

Radical is me; moderate is my husband, Pat. "Radical doesn't work," he said, and his words bounced off the walls like bats in a cavern.

Jan. 3rd & Test # 1: What about the M & M's I'd brought back from the States? Give them away? Not on your life. I made concession # 1 and ate some M & M's.

Jan. 4th & Test # 2: Someone brought a special cake to church and served it to all of us. I made concession # 2 and ate a piece to make "them" feel good.

Jan. 5th & Test # 3: A neighbor said he'd never tasted salmon so Pat invited him and his family over to eat : it. Concession # 3: I devoured two pieces.

My husband is right. Radical is wrong; moderate is right. I need the endorphines from chocolate to be a nice wife, so I will continue to eat chocolate for my dessert after lunch--with black coffee--to keep my husband happy.

Fish is good for us so I will continue to eat fish.

Chicken has many hormones in it so I will eat it only occasionally.

Dairy will be indulged in only when I want an ice cream cone and at any other time I deem necessary.

Sugar will be shunned unless I get a craving for it. (Confession #1: I tasted a small brownie while cutting the batch into squares--to share with my new neighbor, of course!!!)

Anybody want to go on this diet with me?

CHRISTMAS CARD ANGST

I suffer from a rare syndrome called Christmas Card Angst, or if you prefer the scientific term--cardlessxmasphobia. It starts in December and as Christmas approaches, daily trips to the mailbox become anxiety journeys. The person with this syndrome is afraid to open the mailbox for fear of not finding any Christmas cards. Dare I open the mailbox today? is a common question. Has no one remembered we exist? is another heartbreaker. The anxiety can become so overwhelming that days may go by without even a peek in the mailbox, thinking that by waiting more days there is a greater chance of finding a card. This syndrome mainly affects people living overseas where mail takes longer to arrive and people are more likely to forget we exist.

I celebated my first Christmas card of the season this year with a snappy "OH!" and as each subsequent card arrived it was greeted with similar squeals of delight ("Uhh" "Nn" Mmm")

Christmas is over now, but the angst syndrome continues into January until all the late mail arrives. I got a card today, for instance, from my niece and her husband who live in Pennsylvania and I talked to my Mother on skype just a few minutes ago, and she assured me her card was "in the mail". Now that's a picker-upper! "YOUR CARD'S IN THE MAIL."

If this is a good year, my angst may be over by the end of the month. Wish me luck.