Fourth of July 2009

We really enjoyed ourselves for the holiday. I got a paid holiday for July 3rd. I still had to come in for 2 hours each day of the weekend to collect money being that I'm the only one responsible for that at my job. Then we had some friends over for a cook-out. We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for Carrie and Jonathan Vaughan and Carrie made homemade potato salad. We had pineapple, watermelon, corn on the cob, and poppers too! Then on the 4th, we gathered with more friends at out church gathering. It is at some one's house in the country and they rent a train, a blow-up slide, lots of bubbles, Frisbees, etc. for all the kids. Music, and great fellowship with friends. They pass around water bottles and ice cream sandwiches. We all bring desserts to share. Then when it gets dark enough, the fireworks starts, just as good as any other I've seen over the years. It's hot and sticky but you just don't think about it when your having that much fun!

Brazil trip -- part 1

Ok, I am finally going to get the stories of my trip to Brazil down on here. Valerie has been after me to write about it and I have been avoiding it.

The purpose of my trip was to be used as a vision trip to make sure that mission aviation was where I felt that the Lord was still leading. Before I took too many classes in school toward that goal and decide that I did not want or could not handle being a missionary.

So Valerie and I traveled to Arlington, Texas on the night of May 3rd. We spent the night with Joel and Jill to that we could get me to the airport by 5:15 am. I said my goodbyes to Valerie and was off to Miami for my first of two 12 hour layovers. That flight was good and easy. I sat next to a man and his 2 year old daughter on their way to Cuba to visit his grandparents. I tried not to talk to much and the little girl did awesome for that early in the morning and being so young. Arriving there I decide to find me a place to relax. I had my laptop and 3 books to keep me busy. I tried to get on the internet, but they want you to pay for it. So I was not willing to do that. Ok Miami is cool and all, but the airport got really old after about 3 hours. So 9 hours after that I could board the plane for Rio de Janiero.

Now I must insert a couple of details here. 1. I have not traveled internationally by myself.......ever. So I am a little nervous, but more excited. 2. I bought the plane tickets 3 weeks earlier. A week before I am to leave and too late for any changes to be made the travel website emailed me that I was going to have to change airports for my flight leaving Rio. I emailed back and said that was not what I was willing to do and what were my options. They emailed back and said I could change airports or I could have a refund for that part of my trip. Did I already say I was nervous to travel alone? God knew this and allowed the circumstances to be such that I had to rely on his courage to make the change of airport.

I flew all night to Rio sitting next to a lady that spoke no English. (I thought I was not to leave English behind until I got further into Brazil, but ok.) She did not speak much Spanish either. So much for being a witness, but the Lord knew I was not wanting to talk alot so the choice of seat mates was good. I did not sleep well.

Flying into Rio was amazing. It is a HUGE city. There and about 7 million within the city and almost 15 million right outside of it. So much for Dallas looking big. We were over the city about 18 minutes before we landed.
Amazingly big.

Part 2 coming soon