We are doing great. Thank you all so much for your prayers. We know you are praying for us and we know our Father is definitely caring for us. After a few little problems with the car, it seems to be feeling more chipper now! Thankfully, it was nothing we had to pay for, just some adjustments that needed to be made by the mechanics. The weather has been kinda nice lately - rainy and cool which was very needed here in N. TX with all the fires happening.

Some of you might know that we are involved in a congregation called Eitz Chaim (Tree of Life). It is a little far from where we live - about 45 min, but has been a blessing to us. We have learned so much about Jewish tradition and culture which helps us to understand how to relate in order to share the news of the Messiah. Please pray for us as we seek the L-rd's will in our lives for ministry.

Rachel had an interview this week with a music school close to the house. It seemed to go well and the school seems to be very serious in their standards, which is nice to see. They need another voice teacher and asked Rachel to interview and audition. We are still waiting for the results. In the meantime, Rachel is still substituting, which is something she can continue to do with this music school until she has enough students to fill her schedule. After that, she can just focus on these private lessons.

Al is working hard - about 50 hours a week - not counting the 2 hours of travel every day. He enjoys his job and is excited about the possibility of becoming an electrician. He is also studying for the TOEFL. No test date yet - just preparation. If any of you have taken the TOEFL, comments and advice are WELCOME!!!!

We praise ADONAI for His blessings to us - for our health, our family and friend's well-being and the provisions He makes for us on a daily basis.

We are doing well. We just wanted you all to know it. Everything seems to be coming back together and here we are again trying to build a life. We hope you all are doing well. We miss you all. Please feel free to drop us a line..AND PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT RACHEL'S SITE: www.amazonmk.blogspot.com

Back to Normal?

I was wondering if we will ever get back to "normal." What is that anyway? My dad said something before he left about us never getting used to saying goodbye - I guess we shouldn't. Maybe we should treasure every moment, good or bad, happy or sad, as a moment of lessons learned and new beginnings.
Al and I are starting over. Back to work, trying to make plans for the future. We did find out recently, that Al's job may lead to a possibility of testing to be a liscensed electrician without him having to go to school. That would be such a blessing to us, so pray for that. Pray also for his calling to seminary, his english studies and the TOEFL.

Don't forget to visit Rachel's site with stories from her past.
www.amazonmk.blogspot.com

Well, we don't have much to say for ourselves except that we love our family. This past month has been a rollercoaster of events and emotions, but it has ended with one we have never experienced - a deep, heart-wrenching longing for everyone to come back - to relive this past month again.

During these festive times, we were able to spend time with BOTH of my brothers and their families, my parents and grandma. My oldest brother and his family left at the end of Dec. My parents left last thursday. Grandma left today and my other brother and his family are moving away on wednesday. We are left alone. And as great and wonderful as it was to have them here - as much as our heart is ecstatic with love for each and every one - we feel the same degree of pain and heartache that they are no longer here. It is so similar to the loss of a precious loved one.

In my last blog, I talked about us having a cry day, well, make that a cry week. Please pray for us - we are experiencing sadness and loneliness.

Cry Day

Today was the day for crying and subsequent headaches. Mom and Dad left today and it was a cry-fest at the airport. It was so nice to have them here for the holidays and spend some time of r&r with them - as needed for them as it was for us. Now we are getting back to the daily grind. Grandma is still here with us and doing just fine. She will be headed back on Monday. Please keep us in your prayers as we try to pick ourselves up from this sad day and move on with the plans the L-rd has for us. Pray also for Mom and Dad's safe arrival back in Brazil and successful ministry over the next few years.

Other prayer requests - As many of you know, Al feels called to eventually go to seminary. For that end, he must study for and take the dreaded English test, the TOEFL. Please pray for him as he studies and improves his English. Those of you from FL would be amazed at how far he has come since we moved (and especially after this past month with American family.)

Please continue to keep Al's unbelieving family in your prayers that they may come to understanding, repentance and eternal life.