returning to routine

We are beginning to feel more at home here. Carnival is over and the city is getting back to normal. ALSO, our ceiling fans have been installed and we are all sleeping like babies! HALLELUJAH!!

Many of you have asked to see pictures of our new apartment
so here are a few. It's really quite charming.
My favorite part is our balcony. We live on the 3rd floor surrounded by other buildings so unfortunately there's not a lot of privacy. Otherwise it would be really serene.

Our living room

This is the only part of the boy's room that I was able to take a photo of
because they are still working on finding the floor. HA For the first time ever, they are all 3 sharing a room. In order for them to have more space, Mike and I gave them the larger of the 2 bedrooms. I'll show you how I fit a queen and two twins into this room as soon as I'm not embarrassed to take a picture.


My kitchen which I am taking back from the ants.

My beautiful laundry room. We finally have my washing machine up and going and I'm so HAPPY!! I'm pretty sure we'll never see this area without clothes.
It takes a really long time to dry stuff here because of the humidity.

This is the room off of the living room where we do school every day.
So you could also call this my mental ward!

The view from our balcony and if you look way down in between the
last 2 buildings you can faintly see the ocean.

If I zoom in with my camera it comes a little clearer and
you can make out the waves. COOL, huh?!?

More photos to come of life outside the apartment soon!

what's for dinner

A few weeks ago we brought home a whole chicken to put in the crock pot.

We got our money's worth!

Wow...WHAT A WEEK!

We arrived here in Fortaleza exactly a week ago. Everything has been such a blur that I literally just had to go back to a calendar and figure out which day we got here.

We were greeted at the airport by two sweet smiling faces. Robert and Phyllis have lived here in this city about 25 years. They will be working with us this next year during our time here. They have much experience and hearts of gold so we look forward to hanging out with them and gleaning from their wisdom.

As we walked out of the airport, the heat and humidity hit us like a wall. We stayed at a hotel on the beach the first 3 nights which was a really big blessing. It was right on the ocean, had a pool, buffet breakfast and AIR CONDITIONING in the room!!! Unfortunately we were so swamped with everything, I was only able to take the boys down to the beach for a few hours on Thursday. When life settles down, we'll have to find a quiet spot on the beach to relax. We moved everything into our new apartment on Saturday. Even our crate we packed back in the spring of 2009 made it. Saturday felt like Christmas as we opened boxes we hadn't seen in so long.

Mike has been working his tail off trying to get so much accomplished and I know when he finally stops, HE'S gonna crash hard. Running on very little sleep, he and JohnMark flew a couple of hours away to Sao Luis Monday night. Our truck is there and they are driving it back here for us to use. It's a big 4x4 truck that we'll need to get out to our people group. The roads here in the northeast aren't quite the caliber of Sao Paulo roads so the 665 mile trip will be an adventure. The roads they are using to get back are quite primitive. They had made it about half way as of last night and were staying with a couple that lives there in Parnaiba. I talked with them last night and other than being sleep deprived it appears they have many stories to tell. As a matter of fact, while I'm typing this, they should be fishing for piranhas with some folks.

Jackson, Jayden and I have decided we are ready for them to get back. We are wanting to see a bit more of the city than walking allows. We have covered several blocks surrounding our house but it's a big city with LOTS of people and dangerous intersections. Just to get to the supermarket, we have to cross one of the busiest roads by going half-way and then stopping on a 2 foot piece of concrete as we wait for the other lanes coming from the opposite direction to clear. Picture me and an 8 year-old and a 10 year-old balancing on this strip and me trying to make sure they don't fall back into traffic speeding by a few inches from our backsides all the while trying to keep them from stepping out too hastily into the other side of traffic. It's a bit like the old video game FROGGER! Pray this country girl doesn't get herself or her kids squashed.

We are also encountering some less than friendly people out there amongst the sidewalks. Yesterday, one in particular, decided to get right up into Jackson's face and scare him to death. Not sure if he was drugged out or suffering from some demonic issues. Either way, I reminded Jackson for the umpteenth time that God doesn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self control. We're definitely standing on that scripture right now.

Back here in the house lies many adventures as well. My ever growing pile of laundry that has accumulated through the move and all is still sitting pretty in the floor waiting on my washing machine to begin to function correctly. I don't know what happened to it during the move but I hate getting behind on it all...especially without a dryer. Washing it by hand would be like my most dreaded scenario but it might it come to that.

The shower in my bathroom had heat yesterday for about 6 minutes before it went out so that's another thing for Mike's to-do list when he gets back. Ice cold showers are actually kind of refreshing right now. We don't have ceiling fans yet but the one small portable one we do have is getting a work out. We carry it with us from room to room in order to move the air around. I think either we're getting more accustomed to the climate or the fan is helping because we've stopped soaking all our shirts with sweat over the last 24 hours.

Despite the bugs that are biting us or the ones that have made their way into our digestive tracks, we're surviving. Yesterday, as you can tell from this sorta negative post, was hard. But the sun is up (which is seems to do much earlier now) and I'm about to go have some coffee. God is still God and He has a purpose for us in being here. We will choose to walk in that and I will do my best to make the next post on here one that is more positive. Until then, I'll just be transparent with you and tell you life's a bit harder here. But, as we know, that's when we grow. So here we go as a family of five again, stretching and growing and learning what it means to walk with our Savior.

Keep us covered in prayer and we'll keep ya informed on what's going on. I'll try and get some pictures posted on here soon!

objects in photo are smaller than they appear

Yesterday morning, I had to wake up around 3:45 am so that we would be ready for the folks picking us up and taking us to the airport at 5:00. I got up and went straight to the shower. As soon as I walked in the bathroom, I saw something move on the shower door.
Now, please understand that before we came here to Brazil, I was told we'd have lots of critters in our home. I knew it would happen but up until yesterday, we had only seen bugs and one lizard on the balcony. Life on the 11th floor was really nice and really CRITTER FREE!


All this to say that this "little guy" watched me take a shower yesterday and waited patiently for me to leave so that he could return to his meal of mosquitoes.
I didn't like it all.
I know all you veteran missionaries will probably think Rebecca is quite the "critter wimp" but I REALLY didn't like it! I think it's particularly funny that we lived in Ribeirao Preto for over a year with no occurrences like this and yet on my last morning, I was blessed with such a treat.

I asked Mike if he thought it was God's way of helping me be ready to leave this home or if God was just preparing me for what our "new norm" would be. He responded way too quickly with a laugh and the answer I wasn't looking for!!!

Can't Sleep

and since I realized I haven't posted on here in FOREVER, I thought I would let you all know what's happening in our lives right now. It's 2:30 in the morning as I type so try and forgive all the typos!

We received word about 3 weeks ago that we would need to change our plans a bit. So instead of moving to the state of Maranhao, we'll be living in Fortaleza for this next year, possibly moving to SL after the year is up. We will still be working with the same people group, just in a different state. We're currently packing and getting everything in order so that we can arrive there in the next week or so.

We're leaving here confident that we are walking in His plan for us but the news hit us pretty hard at first. We had been praying and researching a totally different region. We tried to understand how God was working in this decision which felt completely wrong to us. We struggled and cried and prayed for God to fix it but God's answer has clearly been "trust Me." This answer is never an easy one especially when you think you've trusted enough or sacrificed enough. Clearly, I'll never have trusted or sacrificed enough. I can't repay what has been done for me and I certainly can't come to a place in my life where I believe I have "arrived"!

But here we are again, knowing absolutely nothing about our next steps or what our life will look like, and we're okay. This "not knowing" is a very familiar place and I'm going to try real hard not to push my way out of it. We sometimes think knowing everything and being in control of everything is the best way to live but let me just tell you that if you want to be close to God, choose the opposite. Ask God to send you stuff in life, no matter how difficult it is, that will keep you on your knees in prayer. When life is easy and things are going great, how often do we really listen to God and want to know his heart? Sure, we give him our laundry list of to-fix or to-heal but do we really sit and wait on Him to answer us.

Man, I've needed God this month. I've needed to know that it's okay that things don't go as planned. The Christian life is not defined by a "pouring out" of blessings on my life or even HOW I FEEL. It is defined by pain, suffering, and trials. Before any of you get upset by that, look at the life of Christ. What did He experience on this earth? Do I really want to believe that God has a prettier picture for me in my life than He had for His own Son? After all, that's the popular message today for the church. It just doesn't line up with scripture. Do I really want to live out the great commission in my life or am I just playing games?

So, just as I prayed over a month ago, I'll continue to pray, "God send what you need into my life to make me more like you."
Pray it with me if you will but understand trials will come. Are we really willing to go anywhere and do anything? Are we really able to say that this world has nothing to offer us in comparison with our eternity? I used to say a whole lot (you can probably even find it on old blogposts) that being in God's will is the safest place you can be. Truth is...being in God's will is going to take you OUT of safe places and put you IN harm's way and that's okay if you're really ready to let HIM be glorified through your life.

Keep praying for me and for my family. Pray that God will use us for His glory anywhere He so desires. Pray that our hearts are like clay in His hands and that we never jump ahead of Him again.

changes

What does it usually take in your life for God to get your attention?
Is it circumstances beyond your control
that change life as you know it?

Sometimes that's just what it takes to get me on my knees in prayer and not get up until I hear from Him.

I'm THERE today!

Christmas 2010

My mom and dad arrived here in Brazil on the morning of the 22nd and we loved all 194 hours with them. They were able to bring the boys Legos and Nerf guns and all their favorite candy from the states.We had a fabulous time with them! It was all bittersweet though since they felt they needed to buy a two-way ticket. ;) Yesterday afternoon, when we took them to the airport, we all decided we're getting pretty sick of goodbyes.

After my dad nodded (secretly) behind my mom's back that it was time to go. We started walking to security. Mom had already begun crying and given out enough hugs to last her for at least one more year but as we gave one last hug, dad lost it too. We watched them head through security and once on the other side, we peaked through the door and waved one more goodbye. We started to leave but when I looked down at Jayden, I realized his face was really red and had tears behind his great big fake smile. (Understand this is how my BIG BOYS act now in order not to cry) But, as he made eye contact with me, he just melted into the wall and couldn't be tough any longer. To which, I finally began sobbing and holding him. UGH!
I decided to pick him up and walk him to the car as he cried so we wouldn't be stared at. (usually that happens without the tears because we're gringos but with all of us sobbing right there in front of everyone, I figured the car would be a better place to lose it.) I think Mike offered to carry Jayden for me, but I didn't stop long enough to discuss it. We were gone.

In the car, after a few moments of hugging and encouraging, I looked Jayden in the face and promised him he would have eternity with his grandparents. (I think I was trying to remind myself of this fact too.) We also talked about how big God is and how certain that we are in the middle of HIS will for our lives. After my big pep talk, he asked what we were having for dinner so one can assume he's gonna survive this most recent bout of drama in his life.
The two big guys held it together pretty well but were quiet most of the night. I suppose they're dealing with it all in their own way. I guess we all are.

On Christmas day, we didn't have snow or the usual atmosphere, but there was a lot of love in our house and a lot of food on the table, and even a plastic soldier battle on the floor.

We were able to skype Mike's family in Kentucky and my brother's family in Georgia. We missed a lot of loved ones this year but we're so blessed with technology because we were able to catch up with everyone. After a quick thunder storm (which happens everyday right now) God gave us a quick reminder of HIS love.

We have to begin tying up all our loose ends here in Ribeirao Preto for our big move to Sao Luis this month. We have to buy a refrigerator, stove, bunk beds and a bed frame for Mike and I. All of you that sent money for us for Christmas and YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, will be helping us to buy these essentials. I started to list your names but I realized a couple of you would kill me so I'm just going to make a blanket thank you here. All of you have blessed our socks off! I'm not kidding, as my mom shared with me what had come in, I was in shock. I also want to thank all of you that helped send school supplies for the boys, books for me and Michael, and for all that sent Christmas presents for the boys, WE THANK YOU!!

Also I'd like to ask for prayer. I'm skeptical to mention it but I am keenly aware of the power of prayer. Not sure if it's problems resurfacing, stress with another move, or just nothing at all...but some of my stomach pain is returning. Please pray that God would deal with it and get me back to normal as quick as possible.

So here we are, a year later, ready to finally head to Sao Luis. We are excited, nervous, and overwhelmed again. We have come to realize that our time here is not only about what God does with our work there in Sao Luis, but that it's also the journey that we're all on that draws us closer to HIM and I wouldn't ever want to skip one step we've had to take through this journey HE is taking us on! That being said, pray that BIG THINGS are about to happen with people that have never heard the name of Jesus and don't forget to celebrate HIS life all through the year. We aren't called to remember and celebrate Him only during Christmas...but instead, every single day of our life.

check out the happenings of the Lasiter Family

provision

Just a few more day til Christmas and I'm starting to get REALLY excited. Earlier this morning it was in the 90's but a storm has blown up and the temps are sitting perfectly in the 70's now!! We're listening to Christmas music continuously in our house. I've bought a few presents but nothing is wrapped yet. Things around here never move at a fast pace so I'm guessing that Christmas, too, will be pretty calm and stress-free.

I recently went back through my blog reading how far God has brought us. I saw the pictures from our old house and all the Christmas decorations that we had and for just a second, I felt sad. But it was just a second and then I kept reading about everything that God did to get us here and all I could do was smile. Every need we have had has been provided for, ABOVE AND BEYOND what we could have asked for. We have never had a day when we were hungry and couldn't eat. We've not had one night where we didn't have a bed to sleep in or a roof over our heads and to be more specific, I've never turned on my ceiling fan without it working great!! ;)
Where does all that money come from to keep missionaries on the field? Click here to find out!

My parents are arriving here on Wednesday in order to spend the holidays with us and I have to admit I feel like a little girl about it all!! We'll pick them up in Sao Paulo, which is about 4 hours away. I plan on squeezing my mom in the backseat all the way home. We were concerned about finding someone to take care of the boys while we were gone and how all 6 pieces of luggage would fit in our small little Civic, but as always, God has provided. He has provided 2 really sweet Brazilian families to watch our boys during our 8 hour trip there and back and a van for us to all fit into.

He has also provided many of you for us and your great big serving hearts. We received two packages this week filled with snacks, videos, Honey Nut Cheerios, Legos and lots of our very favorite things. So we want to send a BIG thanks to Chris and Cheryl Nichols, and the Birchell's Connect GROUP!!! You all are so special to us and we can't possibly thank you enough. I'd also like to say thanks to all of you that prayed for us during our tests this past week. Mike and I have finished "formal" language school and passed our tests at the level we needed to be able to leave. It's strange to say that because it feels like we just arrived. We've lived here now for eleven months and I remember getting off that plane like it was yesterday. I'm not saying that we don't miss our family and friends back home CAUSE WE DO!! A lot, especially this time of year, but there's a such a peace right now in our home.

Last night we had a Christmas party with our church family in Portinari. It was surreal because although I know I made mistakes in my conversation, when we were leaving, I felt like I had listened and understood and talked in another language the whole night, and truth is, I DID! God is so good. He has provided so many people here to help us learn this language. But you know what? Not only have we learned from them, I really feel that many of them have learned from us. That's the best part, feeling like through all our inadequacies, He can still use us.

What does YOUR laundry room look like?

Today is Kelsie's birthday. She is living life as a wife, mother of four beautiful children, and bold witness for the Truth of the Gospel in what most of us would consider impossible living conditions!! She are her family demonstrate that with GOD, all things ARE possible.

I encourage you to read their family's blog and PRAY earnestly for all the work they're doing!! Biggest need right now seems to be running water in their house!