Caleb turns 7!!

So hard to believe that my Angel Baby is now 7 years old! That's SERIOUS!!! He's getting so big! We celebrated with a Pool & Pizza Party at the YMCA! It was perfect weather!!

We had so much fun!

Vacation - Quick, Refreshing, and Rewarding

We made a VERY Quick turn around trip to North Carolina to see our DEAR friends, Meg & Casey, who were home from Peru for the summer. We served with them in Brasil and love them DEARLY! We were able to visit them at Meg's parent's lake house, which is amazing! Meg's parents were there with us too, and it was so great to get to know them better also.

Caleb had so much fun digging up muscles, riding on the Jet Ski - which he got to drive!, tubing with Meg, loving on Meg's mom, riding in the boat - which he got to drive! Meg's mom and dad completely took Caleb in and loved on him as a grandson! Although we were only there like a day and a half, it was so refreshing.

On the way back, we stopped in Gatlinburg, TN. Caleb got to chase the chickens at the Dixie Stampede! He was a bit nervous, but is so proud of his medal! He was in AWE of all the horses and then entire show. COMPLETELY WORTH THE MONEY!!! Chris was most excited about Bubba Gump Shrimp Company! He got a great hat "Run, Forrest, Run" (as posted previously - he's training again for another marathon!). It was a LONG drive in a short 4 days, but totally worth it. AND... Praise the LORD for portable DVD players!

MATCHED: In our Hearts and on Paper

We received "THE CALL" yesterday from our Social Worker!!!

WE ARE MATCHED TO OUR NEWEST SON!!!!!!!

The 'decision' wasn't supposed to be made until Monday by the Ethiopia team in Grand Rapids, but they decided to meet on Friday.

We have been MATCHED to the most precious little boy! His personality just shouts from his pictures and his profile! We can not post any pictures of him, but we have them with us 24/7 so just tackle us for them!! LOL!!

The greatest thing is that we had the Most Amazing, God-Given PEACE about him. We know that the Lord has been preparing this day since the beginnng of time. Imagine His joy as He personally knit our son together in his first mother's womb... "Just wait, my son, I have great plans for you... Plans to give you a Future and a Hope!" I treasure the thought of my Lord and Saviour joyfully loving on our son, BOTH of them!

God is so Good! He does not forget that we are like grass; yet loves and cherishes us to provide with the Joys of our hearts!

...speechless...

Paper Pregnancy!! :)

Our Newest Child is also "on the way"!! Not exactly in a biological way... but "on the way" none-the-less! We are Adopting again!! We started paper work in May and just finished our last Home Study visit. Next up is Fingerprinting and USCIS approvals. While in Brazil, as many of you know, we built some incredible relationships with our African families. We love their culture, their love for family, and their deep Spiritual roots. We are adopting from Ethiopia. Bethany Christian services has an office in Ethiopia and we feel confident in their ability to navigate families safely and ethically through the adoption process. Our social worker, Debby, is incredible and we truly view her as a family friend! The office gets upset whenever we come without Caleb!! We don't have any other information at this time. We are requesting a child from ages 2-6, boy or girl. We plan on choosing a waiting child. Caleb is very excited about being a big brother. He changes each day with whether he wants a baby "that will fit in my hand like this" or a bigger baby "that can play on the slides with me." He says he "gets kind of bored being the only kid in the house." Oh Baby... just wait!!! LOL! We DO Know, and we ARE preparing for what will change our family completely. We are reading many books, talking with many people, and working on expanding our borders to be able to prepare ourselves for being a multicultural family. Naively, we thought we already were!! We have viewed our family as being bi-racial with Caleb home; however we were very surprised to learn that few others actually viewed our family this way. It was not until we spoke of adding an African child to our family did so many concerns begin to arise. We have received many mixed reactions, but the Lord's confirmation in our hearts has made us that much MORE excited about the Perfect Child HE will bring!!! Our families and our close friends know that our hearts have been widened so much since our experience in Brazil, that it is not entirely shocking to them! The Lord is working Powerfully around us in the hearts of so many people. He is so amazing!!!

Mini Update

Some of these things may be slightly redundant... This is copied from an update email that was sent out.

Thought we'd send out an update as to what is going on with us and our family!

Caleb is doing Awesome! (*I knew I had to start with him!!) He finished up the 1st grade at Dexter Elementary in Cordova. He had some big adjustments to go through... being in classes of 5 to a class of 18. He did well once he got a bit settled. Very true to his name: Strong and Courageous!! He played Soccer for the Y and Loved it! He was a STAR on the Orange Tigers team! Amazing how much skill he learned in Brazil! We also started going to the Chinese Baptist Church on Friday nights for Awanas (and adult Bible Study). It was a great experience. Caleb's pediatrician was our adult teacher, and the kids program was really great! We couldn't go in May-June because of Soccer, but are very excited to start back in August. He has had the Best Summer at the YMCA, swimming every day, playing basketball, and playing!! He has been loving it! He has been growing like a weed!!! Lost some teeth, getting some more in and all that fun stuff! He will start the SECOND GRADE... the Second Grade... that's serious! That's like the NEXT LEVEL.. I told him he now has to start SHRINKING in age instead of growing. Please pray for him to get adjusted back to school quickly and that his teacher is full of Grace! He is also looking forward to playing Soccer again this fall, and maybe some Basketball this winter.

Chris is also doing Awesome! He is so happy to be working for NICS in a Godly environment. He really loves the people he works with!! He has been continuing all his duties from Brasilia International school since we arrived back home!!! It has been very difficult and challenging in many ways, but he is very thankful that the Lord was able to use him during this time of transition for the school! The Lord has provided a new business manager for BIS that will be going to Brasilia in August, Lord willing! We are praying there are no visa issues. It is not known at this time if he will be completely "hands-off" of the BIS stuff for this fall. Please pray for this issue. Chris has not been able to have full closure. Chris also finished up his final Undergrad classes this past June and He GRADUATED!!! I am so proud of his patience and endurance through ALL!! And now to the next school... Chris is SO COMPLETELY READY to start School!!! He will be starting Seminary in August for his Masters in Christian Education!! He loves youth, and he feels the Lord confirm His calling on his life almost daily. He knows that the Lord will use him as a powerful vessel for HIS Message of Freedom and Salvation to youth FAR and WIDE!!! We don't know what the Lord will do with all of this... but we wait in Grateful Expectation for what HE will do!! Chris is also training again for another marathon! The St. Jude marathon will be December 4th. He's already starting to lose his toenails again and blisters upon blisters. I love to watch him get so determined and be able to persevere! You were right, DAD... He is a "PERSISTENT" one!! :)

I (Beverly :) am also doing well! I was graciously allowed to return to my previous job as a Research Nurse at the West Clinic. I truly love my job, my boss, and the organization I work for. I love building relationships with my patients and being able to "encourage, as I have been encouraged" as these brave souls encounter this daily fight with Cancer. I thank the Lord for his Blessing of Cancer in my life to be able to minister to them. I know, full well, that I could not do this job without a personal LIVING relationship with the Savior, the Healer, and the Protector! To be able to say that Death is NOT Defeat, nor is it the End. Please pray for my boldness to share the Gospel at my job and to be an encourager. While Chris is preparing and training for the marathon, I'm trying to lose weight and get healthier also. I LOVE plugging in my John Piper as I pound away at the treadmill. Not quite as often as I'd wish, but I have found so much encouragement and rekindled fire listening to Piper! His preaching just pounds out the Truth, unashamedly and not worried about being Politically correct! He always points straight to the Heart of Jesus and to a new realization about Himself!!

My Mom is doing well! Thank you so much to all of you for praying for her and asking about her frequently! She continues on chemo, but is tolerating it very well! She's down about a week or so after chemo, but has been able to continue to lead her Ladies Bible Study on Tuesday nights. She is such a blessing to all of those sweet ladies. She loves teaching in any form, but teaching the WORD is something she does with PASSION!! The church has really rallied behind them and is supporting them! They bring weekly and sometimes daily food and sweets! Their presence really brings joy to my parents. Dad is doing great, also. He has turned into Mr. Super Helper!! It's been so neat to see him adapting and growing into their new routines. He is a Chuck Missler SUPER-FANATIC! Truly though... you guys gotten listen to his "Learn the Bible in 24 hours". He's a teacher, not a preacher, and my dad Loves him. You can check out Missler on www.BlueLetterBible.org (just for you, dad!)

We had an awesome time on vacation recently. We went to North Carolina to visit Casey & Megan, our friends from Brasilia that are now in Peru. It was so great to see them! They have been dear friends for a long time! Please pray for them as they head back for another year in Peru.

BIS will now be led by Jeff Lancaster, a dear friend and an awesome Man of God. Please pray for him and the new Admin team as they prepare to lead this next year. Enrollment is in desperate need of increasing!! Please pray that the Lord will open the flood gates of the international community in Brasilia to come to a place of LIVING WATER that can Refresh even the driest soul. Please pray!!! One of our dearest, most special Pakistani families had a tragedy recently. Their father died after some heart complications. This Muslim family held 4 children of whom we were EXTREMELY close! The Mother would even babysit Caleb for us on in-service days. Our greatest prayer is that in this time of urgent need, they were able to Taste and See the Awesome Comforting Power of JESUS in our BIS Staff. Please pray for them, and "MY GIRLS" as they have returned to Pakistan last week to take the body home. The oldest son is in England at college and was so sad to not have seen his dad before he passed. We really really love this family... please petition the Father for their lives!!

So that's a little update on us. We would love to hear from you, and would love to get together with those we haven't seen since we've been back.

The Lord is so Faithful. He loves us so dearly. He is Good!!

So Much Love to you all!!
~Beverly - for the FRYAR FOUR!!! :)

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. I Peter 1:3-9

**Update!!**

Oh Dear.... I've been Missing in Action for several months! Thank you so much to all of you that have visited, and please forgive my absence. In fact, it's actually NOT because I don't have anything to write about... quite to the contrary! The Lord has given me multiple things to write about... I will be updating (and Back-dating) this blog this weekend! I already know the thoughts I want to express on at least 4 of them!!

A small tidbit...

Chris GRADUATED a few weeks ago!! He has worked full time and studied full time for the past 2 1/2 years to finish up his Bachelor's Degree! I am so incredibly proud of him!!! Here is a pic from the Ceremony (more about that in a bit)

Orange Tigers

Caleb played in the YMCA Soccer league this spring. He had a BLAST!! His coach was AMAZING! He really loved on the kids and didn't scream at them. He was full of hugs and high-5's!

Of course... we have to brag on him... he is really an Incredibly player! He credits his moves to all his friends in Brasil who taught him all kinds of cool things as they played soccer out on recess every day.

He'd be in a PILE of the opposition, and come out with the ball!! He LOVES playing!!!

We're so proud of him!! :)

11 years

February 22nd marks 11 years... 11.

I'll never forget that morning. It was so early. I remember walking to the other side of the hospital, from the bright colorful walls of the children's hospital to the deary dull white walls of the adult hospital. I remember taking an x-ray, without proper checking in by desk staff, as they were not clocked in yet. I remember sitting in my smiley face scrub jacket over my best red scrubs fiddling with my pen light in my pocket and realizing I still had an INT in my pocket, as well. Looking to my right to see two radiologists viewing a film on the light box. I remember the smell. I remember the lights. I remember the look. The radiologists called me over to view a shadowy film luminated artifically. As they pulled me into their conversation, the Chief stepped back... his eyes glistened. His face somber.

I remember calling Chris, just as he was about to leave for work. I told him not to go yet... Questions, Concerns, Wanting anything to be able to teleport himself to my side. More tests, more areas of the hospital that were unfamiliar, alone.

I remember starting my car. I remember the sunlight so warm on that cool morning. I remember calling my Mom on the way home, as they gave me 2 hours before the next test that had to be run. I cried as I listened to her run the "list" as a response to my question of "what you up to today?" As this question was now returned... I could just say "Well, I need to be added to your prayer list again." Tearings running torrentially, knowing that angels must have been driving the car. I recanted to Mom... "tumor" "bone" "not good" words echoed around that small car.

Arriving home, Chris running out to the car to meet me...


"Praise God to Whom all Blessings flow..........

Chris's New Job & Toilet Paper Reflections! ...ummm... but not related to each other!!! LOL!!!!!

Chris started work yesterday!! How awesome is that! The Lord really just dumped it on him, too. There was discussion regarding it back in December, but nothing seemed to be surfacing... then he got a call last week, and started yesterday!!

He said it was very surreal... to be sitting in a cubicle. A similar cubicle... Extraordinarily different place... and being an extraordinarily different person.

You just can't Erase 3 years... nor would we. It seems sometimes that people expect that we should just drop back into our "old" way of life.... and... we might can APPEAR to be doing that... we really aren't! WE CAN'T BE!! You just can't leave an experience like ours in Brasil and just act like it's back to "keeping up with the Jones's" again...

One major thing that has changed in us.... is WE REALLY HAVE TOO MANY CHOICES! While it is nice to be able to get old favorites... like ROOT BEER, and Red Hots, and Runts! It is QUITE Annoying to look at so many different brands, types, styles, and colors of EVERY DARN THING! Like Toilet paper.... tonight, I'm searching over the Toilet paper... there are Regular rolls, Big rolls, MEGA rolls, Double Rolls... there's Ultra Soft, Ultra Strong, Ultra Big... There's 4 packs, 6 packs, 12 packs, 18 packs, 24 packs... then there is the Double rolled so the 12 packs you buy is really like buying 24 packs........ DO WE REALLY NEED THIS?!?!?!?!

CAN WE NOT NARROW IT DOWN TO.... THE GOOD SOFT STUFF, AND THE BAD CHEAP STUFF?????

I'm standing there, then finally like "Just grab something... for PETE'S SAKE!!" So I did... And you know..... it REALLY JUST DOESN'T MATTER!!

Another thing that changed us about Choices is: Not being so picky. In Brasil, if you order a hamburger without something.... GOOD LUCK!!!

Change of Choices is not a bad thing...... Not by a long shot!! Like the CHOICE that we had to keep my Dad's 1992 Oldsmobile! Like the CHOICE to put Caleb in a good public school. Like the CHOICE for Chris to NOT return to Corporate America, and instead be more Ministry minded with occupational choices. Like the CHOICE to attend a Chinese Baptist Church on Fridays to have more Multi-cultural experiences like we were used to in Brasil. Like the CHOICE to PAY CASH for our other needed vehicle instead of Financing!!

Not to say that we always make the Best Choice, because we are FAR from that. BUT... just to say that our Choices are now much more lead by Prayer than by Desire. More lead by Need & Function than just want and "just 'cuz".

Yes, Chris, Beverly, and Caleb are back... physically.... but we are BACK so much BETTER than before!! Please give us some time and some Grace, and we'll show you what we learned!

His Grace is MORE than Enough!

***Author's Note: .... OK, FOR REAL...... This is ridiculous!! I sat down on this night (1/18) to Back-date some details since we've been home....... the Previous TWO NOTES came from Tears pouring down my face as I tried to just write BORING Details!! The First, titled "Ramblings..." came after the FIRST paragraph (below), and the Second "Hair reflections" came after the SECOND paragraph (below)... I've had to cut and paste them here, as they COMPLETELY don't fit with the rest of the post.... I'm over here a big ball of snot & tears, and Chris asking every 5 minutes "you ok?" "Have I don't something wrong?" "who are you talking to?" LOL!! He probably figures I'm watching Hallmark videos or something!! :) ........SO.......... I will try to gather myself to FINISH this ONE post that I sat down to write about 2 hours ago!!! Not sure where this emotion comes from, but truthfully probably just been pent up inside, and writing is a great way to release it! I hope that you will read through these knowing that the deep recesses of my heart are processing the past 3 years, being home, transition, and I thank you for reading these. They are HONEST... may not be pretty, and will probably Ramble... but Honest, real, personal. SO... BACK to the DETAIL-Y stuff! :)

-------------------------------------------------

Ok..... We're FREEZING!! FOR REAL!! We landed on December 26th, back in the States, and it's COLD... Really COLD! We landed with our only Long Sleeve shirts on, and I still had Flip Flops on! :D Chris says we look like the Accidental Tourist! :) It was good and sweet to see Mom, Dad, and Charlie and Brooklyn at the airport! But, we were tired..... physically tired, but more Emotionally Exhausted...

The next morning, we woke up very late! We woke up late EVERY morning in fact! Brooklyn and Caleb were outside playing and riding bikes... in SUB-Freezing Temperatures. As I wrap up in borrowed clothes, I peer outside at my darling child... dressed in Razorback Overalls for girls, and a Christmas sweater covered in Bows!! Dear Heaven!! Please, please just don't take pictures, was about all I could get out between the loud pounds of laughter! He was WARM, He was having Fun! And then to my dearest Husband..."Baby... we GOTTA get to WALMART!!" And to Walmart we went... and stocked up on all those things we haven't had to wear... like COATS, SWEAT PANTS, Long sleeves, SOCKS!!, SweatShirts, Mittens, HATS! I even wore my Mom's house shoes to Walmart, as I only had sandals to my name!! **Btw... that's what happens when you live in a (somewhat) tropical region! You wear SANDALS and Capri's every day! I don't even OWN closed toe shoes, other than Tennis Shoes!! Thankfully, things are SOOOOOO much cheaper here! Thank heavens!!

We stayed the first week with Mom and Dad, and Brooklyn. Caleb and "Brook" had a great time playing together, riding bikes, and playing with toys. We withheld the Wii until they were about at wits end with the other stuff. It was SO cold that we FEARED that Caleb would get SOOO sick. We feared that we would ALL get sick... But as a Faithful Father who answers Prayers, the Lord allowed us to be free from illness! Thank you!!!

AND.... on January 3rd, we got to MOVE IN to our New Apartment!!! What a HUGE Answer to Prayer!! We have been approved by Mid-America Baptist Seminary (where Chris will attend full time in August) to stay in a Missionary Apartment until June! IT'S COMPLETELY FURNISHED!!! COMPLETELY!!! We *LITERALLY* had to only put in Groceries!!! No towels, No pans, No Sheets... *IT WAS ALL HERE!!* What a HUGE Relief!! And a HUGE Answer to Prayer!!

We stayed very busy that first week, with all sorts of things. Unfortunately, we also got news that my Dad's sister died. She was an Amazing lady! Always laughing, Always telling jokes! She and my uncle would go on mission trips to Belize and travel all over the nation in their Airstream. She will be So missed... BUT, she is Dancing as never before now... In Heaven, with Her Saviour!! .:Amazing Grace:. Grace that provides us a FUTURE and a HOPE.

This past week was Very Eventful... I had an Interview (which was really quick & easy!) and accepted a Job at the West Clinic as a Research Nurse! ...back up... I had contacted my boss back in December and she told me that she didn't have any positions available. I had RESTED in the Lord that if He wanted me to work, He would provide it! AND... I was really enjoying the REST... the REST that we haven't exactly had in the past 3 years! I entertained substituting, or staying home... all sorts of things... but never felt Pressured or Pushed or Guilted into working... certainly not by Chris, and not by MYSELF! THEN... once we were "settled" on the 5th, I got an email from my boss that said she had a position OPEN!!! Praise the LORD! I really loved that job... it was a great opportunity for building relationships with families dealing with Cancer.

This week was a great week for Caleb too... We got him enrolled at his new school. He will attend a public school for now, to conserve costs, but also to give him some NEW Experiences and a Multicultural environment. We know it may be shocking to him at first, as his LARGEST class had 5 students! Please pray for him, his teacher, and his friends! More details to come!

AND... it was an Eventful week for Chris too! He was also "RESTING" in knowing that the Lord had his employment options and plans!! He has been working for the school remotely, and taking classes online. He has spent A LOT of time getting his "office" organized! AND... this week, he got a call about a job that he had inquired about way back in December. He thought it was gone, and had almost forgotten about it. UNTIL... they called Friday!! NOW... Chris is also EMPLOYED!!! YEAH!!! God is so good!!!!

Hair reflections....

We stayed with Mom and Dad all week from Christmas to Jan 3rd. Mom had finished up her first cycle of chemo about 2 weeks prior... so I knew what was gonna happen this week... the hair. Yep... the hair. I so remember this week in my own history. The Hair... EVERYWHERE... kinda funny at first, as it doesn't stop... then not as funny... then VERY Annoying... then, when it's about done and the reflection of the mirror doesn't look anything like it did before... Then, it's a bit more sobering. THEN... it becomes Reality. Even though people all "KNOW" that you are getting chemo, and people "KNOW" you have Cancer... it's not REAL for them either... until the HAIR. Then, it's no longer a topic of conversation that is avoidable. No longer avoidable with friends... but more importantly... no longer a topic that is avoidable with STRANGERS... like at Walmart, Chili's, Walgreens!! The daily reminder in the mirror, regardless of how you feel, seems like it just weighs on you. Unfortunately, there's not really anything "FUN" about it, other than getting to try on new hats, and scarfs, and other possibilities. So... this was Mom's week, and she did SO GOOD!! I remember seeing pictures of myself (5 years later) when I was the Sickest, and asking Chris HOW he could have looked at me, and not been DISGUSTED!! He told me that, he saw ME, the same Beautiful ME that he had always seen! And... I never quite understood that... until Mom's hair fell out. I really don't SEE her any different... she's still my Mom. She's still Beautiful! Her eyes still shine Brightly, and her smile so sweet. I love her dearly, and certainly never expected nor hoped that this week would happen to her... Colossians 1: 16-17 - For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. ¹⁷He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Lord, we are your Creation. HALLOWED be Your Name before ALL the nations, and All the People. Thank you for being BEFORE all things, all situations, all issues, all problems, all disasters, all elections, all diseases, all CT SCANS, all Chemo treatments, all thoughts, all hearts, all........ Lord, Hold us together.

Ramblings...

It's so hard to say Goodbye... But I think that Chris and I have gotten relatively accustomed to it. I was doing so good, UNTIL... at the airport, Marie gave me a Scrapbook that she and others had made! Each page was an Awesome Note and pictures and memories... So Precious to me!! Caleb even got one from Kaylee, with all of their pictures together in it. He combed through each page as if he was scanning each square millimeter for reprinting. We left a place we cherish and a place that has DEFINED us for the past 3 years. 3 years... seems like a small number. 1095 days... minus the summers... I am NOT going to actually calculate every day... but that does seem to make it seem a bit more significant. We feel as if to so many people, we were gone but a blink... a short whisper. And I guess it would.
But I feel like I could re-live each day, in full color, Like the first girls' sleepover. I was nervous, I asked Laura to stay with me, because I didn't know the girls SUPER well, as we'd only been in Brasilia for 6 weeks. I had planned every hour, with back up plans too.... But it totally didn't matter... we laughed, talked, goofed off, played a couple of games, watched a movie, then when it was about bed time... we SWAM in our clothes at 2 AM!! The neighbors even referenced the late Hour the next Sunday at church!! LOL!! But... what I hadn't prepared for... was the morning! I just KNEW the girls would sleep in!! Right?!?! NOPE... they were up at 7am (after sleeping only 3 hours) and wondering what the day had in store!! We ended up at the Amusement park for a few hours of fun... before all of us folded in dehydration at 4pm!! I still remember that MASSIVE headache from no sleep, little fluids, and being spun in every rotational direction possible!!! Ahh... sweet memories! I remember Chris's first guys sleepover too! So many memories... so many kids. I wish there was a way to actually COUNT the number of kids who have been in our house! Or... even more so... RIDDEN in our CAR!! *We've always packed them in at least 2 deep in the back seat with Caleb on top! Often having at least one on the armrest in the front, or (if a girl) on my lap! *I'm secretly hoping whoever is thinking of buying our car isn't reading this post!!!* My sweet Pandu named our car "The Ghetto Mobile!" *In a GOOD Way!* I still remember how to get to EACH and EVERY kid's house! I can even quote most of their cell numbers, even though they were all programmed in my phone. Most would call collect, as they NEVER had credits! ... so many memories... I'll miss their hugs. and smiles. and laughter. I know that the Lord has AWESOME plans for each of them... I know HE loves them even more than Chris or I do! That is Incredibly Reassuring!!

My prayer for them is... ick... so many of them. How do I narrow my prayers, hopes, and greatest desires for their lives?? TO BE FULLY DEVOTED TO HIM! ... AND ... each of them has such a special place in my heart... each of them has unique gifts, and unique promise, and unique beauty.

I guess if I had to BLANKET statement all of them, I'd put them under the blankets of the Key Verses we used for the past 3 retreats... that would be a Start, I guess.

Ephesians 6: 10 - 14 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to Stand Your Ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Hebrews 4: 14 - 16 - Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, Let Us Hold Firmly (to The ROCK) to the faith we profess. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

Proverbs 4: 20 - 27 - Above all else, Guard Your Heart (Bulletproof), for it is the wellspring of life.

Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born,

to us a Son is given,

and the government will be on His shoulders.

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Goodbye's

Yuck! Goodbye's are NOT fun.... Not at all. I don't like them, I don't like them Sam-I-Am!

We've had to spend the last couple of weeks saying Goodbye! Goodbye to our Kids that we love.... Goodbye to the Church that we love... Goodbye to the School that we have served in diligently for 3 years... Goodbye to Great Friends that seem more like Family... Goodbye to places that have deep meaning and memories... Goodbye to a lifestyle...

Thankfully we are NOT saying Goodbye to our Memories, to our Hearts, or to our Fond Thoughts of this incredible Country. We are saying GOODBYE only in a physical sense, but certainly not in an emotional sense.

We know that we carry with us small parts of the dear students that we have poured our lives into... and we know that we leave small parts of our hearts in them.

Goodbyes are not fun. But the Lord has Equipped us to transition well, and to "GO FORTH"... right now... that "GO FORTH" means returning back home. We know that the Lord will "SEND US OUT" again... in some way... some where.

But for now... we rest in EAGER ANTICIPATION of what Awaits us... He has never failed us, left us, abandoned us, or lead us to danger. Instead... He has lead us to places of greater growth, greater ministry, and to greater knowledge and relationship with Him. *What better place to be?!?!*

We know, FULL HEARTEDLY, that He is leading us home... and that HE has already PREPARED a way.

We are called to TRUST. We are called to OBEY. We are called to ABIDE.

... and so we shall ...

UPDATE!!!!!

Well... This note has been a while coming, and a bit overdue. However, wanted to inform you guys that do not receive our emails that

*We will be HOME for Christmas*

..and it is *NOT* for ONLY a VISIT... but for GOOD (or as long as the Lord allows).

My Mom has been diagnosed with Cancer. She has gone through all the staging processes and has began chemo. As many of you know, I have been an Oncology nurse since 2001, before taking a pause to come and Teach here in Brasilia for the past 3 years. Because of my background, and because the Lord has really laid it on us.... we need to be home. *Now*

It will not be easy... NOT BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION... As we have Poured our lives into our kids here, the school, the church, our ministries. We have worked harder, slept LESS, done more than we have EVER done in our lives AND certainly more than we had ever thought Possible... for the Glory of Christ alone.

We have learned so much about Who God is. He has been so incredible to show us more of HIMSELF over the past 3 years.

Leaving will bring SO MANY tears... and we know the Adjustment back to the States will be difficult. We LOVE OUR KIDS!!! We Love them so much.... we have seen them grow, fall, struggle, TRIUMPH, get frustrated, and have Great Hope! ALL Facets of the Teenage experience. We feel like we have "GROWN" with them. The Memories we have, we will cherish for Days, Months, and YEARS!

The INCREDIBLE thing is that we KNOW that many of these kids, while we will not see them here on Earth again... we *WILL* see again in Heaven!!! And... for the Lord to allow us the precious experience of being a part of what HE DID in their lives is beyond our human comprehension.

Please pray for us as we try very hard to FINISH WELL. Please pray for our kids. Please pray for OUR HEARTS! Please pray for us Financially, as well, as we START OVER! We have NOTHING in the States. My Dad will allow us to borrow a car, but literally... we have nothing... well, Ok... we actually did save a Christmas tree! LOL! Pray for safe travel. We fly out of here Christmas Day at 11pm.

Thank you for your Prayers. Thank you for your Support!!

~Beverly - for the Fryar Family!