Kisses and a Pile of Poop

Mia wearing my rain boots

"What are you doing?"  Looking at Mia's tight little lips produce kiss noises as she sat next to me in the backseat of the Axworthy's car.  Her car seat just doesn't quite let her see me eye to eye, but she's getting pretty close.
"I'm trying to kiss you," she replied giggling.  I looked at her with a smile, feeling so loved.

Marshall (14) and I

Soon, I was distracted by something outside the window in Brasília and dismissed the "kissy face."  To my surprise, when I turned around, I see Mia's mouth wide open, tongue not only out, but moving around, eyes closed, and making some "kissy" noises.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

New Year's Resolution: Nerd Jump Rope... Daily

"Mia!  What are you doing?" I managed to squeeze out mid-laugh.
"I'm still trying to kiss you," she replied, without even thinking.

Just wait.  It gets even better.

I didn't even have time to respond to Mia when Anne cut right in, "Mia, only married people can kiss like that.  It's like they are licking the inside of each other's mouths!"

The car was filled with laughter.
Oh, how I love the Axworthy's.... really.  I do.

"What is that smell?" This nasally sentence came out kind of softly because my nose was all the way plugged.  The stench was everywhere.  Where was it coming from?

As the doors opened to the living room, Cacau, our pregnant dog, tried to sneak past us on our way in, for she is NOT allowed indoors.  However, the stench of her now-claimed-territory (also known as MY ROOM) was screaming her name!

When I walked into my room, the door was open already, not that Cacau grew arms, but probably the only time I left my door open since I have lived here, a nice present was left for me.  And, as you probably have already guessed: A PILE OF POOP.

Thanks Cacau.

Coolest Graffiti Ever!!!! (I didn't do it!)

Besides catching the "stomach bug" and learning that my bacterial infection had never truly gone away since I had it a few months ago, going home for the holidays was a blast.  I was able to spend quality time family and friends.

We played Farkle, Catch Phrase, slack-lined, had coffee, saw some sweet graffiti (I promise I didn't do it!), recorded our first  "Dreds & Torpedo" EP album, bought tons of food and candy to bring back to Brazil, got a Ukulele, bowled, saw the Stars play... well it was more like talked through the whole Stars game,  ate lots of good food, had so much fun.

Mom & Tom, I love you!

Thanks to all of my friends and family for taking time out of their vacation to hang out with me.  I am sorry to those of you that I wanted to see, but didn't have time to see you because of my sickness, and making the CD.

As I prepared my classroom for the past few days, I am so grateful for the Bibles from Lake Highlands Baptist Church, the Bibles from Ridgeview Church (still on the way), the string backpacks for my students from the Flores Family, my monthly supporters, and all of your prayers!

I am truly enjoying my time here in Brazil!  For the past few days, I was able to go on a Staff Retreat for school to Pirenopolis.  It was beautiful.

Climbing Up the Zip-Line

We set up the slack line, hiked up a huge waterfall, swam, and played board games.  BEAUTIFUL.  That's about all there is to it.  We tried to climb up the zip-line, but learned pretty quickly why it is typical to use proper equipment.  My hands started hurting after about 3 meters... if that.


School starts Monday.  Please continue to pray for:

Wow! This is only 1.5 hours from my city!

Learning Portuguese @ University of Brasília
Good Health & Safety
My Students
Camp in São Vicente this weekend with Press On Missions 
Time Management (school, friends, family, work)
Lesson Planning
Our New Student Teacher, Lydia

Thanks for reading!

Love,
Dawna