The Low Down

I'm sure you are all wondering what in the world is exactly going on down here...so here is our situation:

First and foremost, we are in Brazil for an undetermined amount of time. We are working on Sidnei's papers to return to the US, but there is no expected time of when that might happen. All we do know is that Homeland Security or USCIS or whoever is in charge takes their time!

Right now, we living a little city called Ipatinga in the state of Minas Gerais (interior Brazil)! It is beautiful, nestled on the hills of the rolling green mountains here. I don't know why, but the sky seems SO blue here. Some days it is breath taking just how vivid the color is. I try to capture it with the camera, but it is just not the same! I promise to post pictures soon!

Here we are fortunate enough to stay at Sidnei's parent's house, while we get our feet on the ground. It doesn't necessarily sound ideal, but it really is. For myself, I am getting acquainted with my surroundings, trying to get a grasp on the language, and working on bringing out the domestic goddess in me. Living with Sidnei's parents gives me an opportunity to do those things, instead of sitting in an apartment by myself homesick. Life for me has definitely slowed it's pace, but I am enjoying it. There is a LOT going on and I am grateful to be able to have the time to let it sink in.

Sidnei is in the process of job hunting right now. He has applied in a LOT of different places, online and in person. We are hoping that something shakes loose for him soon. This past weekend he attended Escola de Formacao de Vigilantes--which is a Vigilante School. Before he left for the states he was a security guard. Here is Brazil this a good job. Mainly because they use security guards for EVERYTHING. They are in all the government buildings, all of the banks, the shopping mall, they are everywhere. Sidnei, though, is applying for a job with the armoured trucks division since he has a connection there. Of course this requires one more school...gun school B, so he has training on the "big guns" since I don't know the portuguese names!

The past couple of weeks we have spent getting everything set up! We bought our first bed and despite it being a little hard, we love it! We also bought a guarda roupa, or a wardrobe...no closets here! So this is where basically everything goes! Clothes, shoes, perfumes, etc! And of course we had to go buy all the things we didnt think of like sheets, bedspread, towels, hangers, etc etc etc! It was fun for me to go around the city and shop! Poor Sidnei was a trooper! The furniture here is so different and has a very modern look. So needless to say it took me many, many furniture stores (maybe most of the stores in the city) to find what I liked! But I am very pleased with what we bought! Pictures of the set up, soon to come!

When we receive our container shipment (60-90 days from the end of May) and Sidnei is set up in a job, we will be moving to an apartment!

The church here is so wonderful! We are set up in the Ipatinga Branch and the members have been so nice to us! It is really different to hear church, the hymns, everything in a different language, but it truly is by far one of the most comforting things about being here. Different language or not, the gospel and spirit are the same. Elder and Sister Call are our American Missionaries here and they have really been so helpful and have really given me some great advice on how different things work here!

That is really all I can think of for now! But any and all questions please send them our way! We would love to know what you are interested in knowing about Brazil, what is going on with us, or anything that you have in mind!

Embracing the Journey

Oddly enough, I never really thought of myself as much of a planner. I don't think many of us do. I'm not talking about day to day, the minutia of it all. I'm talking about the road map, the direction our lives are supposed to take. I never really thought I had a "plan" until I realized that my life course was changed. Until all the "plans" I didn't know I had made, were gone.

It took me a while to realize this was one of those "life lessons" that everyone has to learn. You plan, life detours. It happens to everyone. Though not all detours are quite as drastic as ours, it happens. In the November 2008 Ensign , Joseph B. Wirthlin said, "...every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don’t sing and bells don’t ring. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result." (Nov. 2008 Ensign, Come What May, and Love It)

So it is with this, that I introduce to you our blog. Before I left for Brazil, I ran across this bracelet from Brighton Jewelry

Every day I wear this bracelet to remind me that its not about the things, the plans...it's about the journey, it's about happiness.

Know that I missing you all every step of the way. But that I am happy, we are happy. Where this adventure will take us, I'm not sure yet. But I hope that journaling our adventure will keep us close with loved ones and friends, that you can experience a bit of our joy through stories and pictures!

Welcome to Brazil!