"In the Fight"
In Brazil we have a saying: "in the fight." If you are in the fight, it means you are taking on every day and whatever it might bring, you are doing fine, but not necessarily comfortable - just keeping up the faith. That is exactly how we are doing. Everyone is fine, Grandma has a little cold and I had a stomach virus last week, but nothing we can't get over. Al has had some recent news from his family that is somewhat disturbing, but not overwhelming. However, in the midst of the news, we receive a wonderful glimmer of hope that his brother (who died when Al was about 11) had the opportunity to pray to receive the L-rd in his life before passing. Evidently, a believing girl (who noone knows) who happened to be in the hospital, came into his room. Al's parents were there. She talked to Augusto (Al's brother) about the Messiah and asked if he wanted to pray to Him to receive salvation from his sins and eternal life in glory. Augusto accepted and she prayed with him there. Al's dad remembered the event and told us this week. What a blessing!

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of G-d, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the L-rd Yeshua, that the life also of Yeshua might be made manifest in our body... We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak:...For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (1 Corinthians 4:7-18)

YOU SHOULD ALL HAVE ALREADY GUESSED I WOULD STINK AT THIS

So, yes, we are fine. It seems that we have been so busy lately. During spring break, Al fended for himself (except that I left food cooked for everyday) while I went to Florida to pick up Grandma. She is here now and doing great. We are glad to have another warm body in the house - it seemed so empty with the 2 of us.

Al is working hard and has had quite a few chances to defend his faith recently. Keep petitioning Adonai for him as he speaks with others.

I am still substituting and also giving private voice lessons. Everythings is fine, but I would love for more students to come for private lessons. I really enjoy doing that.

Al and I were asked to participate in a few different things in our congregation. We are working with the youth now. Teaching the younger (Jr. High age) and recently gave our testimonies at a lock-in for the older youth. It was an intense night, but very good and we are sure HaShem was pleased. The hardest thing was realizing how old we feel! - We haven't stayed up that late in a looooooong time!

Besides that, a few other odds and ends, but everything is as it should be.
shalom alecheim!!!!