The Fat Lady Sang

The end of the year at ALPHA is a furry with enrollment, end of the year programs, last minute activities, sports events, and the list goes on.

One of the highlights was an end of the year recital we had last night at school. It was a dream realized. Since we started the school in 2000, music has been part of our curriculum. In a country where the school music program doesn't exist, it was a challenge to forge ahead despite the fact that most people don't have a clue what it is we are trying to do.

This year was the first time we were able to juggle the class schedule just enough to have two instrument groups practice twice a week. Recorder ensemble, lead by my co-teacher, Milton, was the larger of the group. Because of the availability and cost, recorders are the choice of instrument for most of these kids. All of our 3rd and 4th graders learn how to read music and play the recorder in their weekly music class. This optional class was designed for 5th - 7th graders who wanted to continue to learn.

RECORDER ENSEMBLE 2006

Band was a far bigger challenge. Using donated instruments (practically no one would be able to afford their own), seven students started learning the fingering and technique of their instruments. To top it all off, I managed to find a band method available on the internet (downloaded and printed the Adobe files) and started arranging songs for our mix of instruments. No available pre-made band arragments here!

BAND Six of the original 7 students finished the year. The really young one on the far right is me (just in case you didn't recognize!) :)

Jessica, Jezreel and André tried keyboard for a semester

Next year is just around the corner and I hope that the initial results will have spurred interest in more students to take the plunge. Will be sure to let you know how it goes!

VIOLIN QUARTET We invited one of the members from our violin ensemble to fill out a quartet as a guest presentation.

7th GRADE CHOIR This group practiced and performed at our first recital in June. For never having sung in a choir, these kids managed to learn 3 parts on several songs and really grew in their vocal ability. Due to scheduling problems we were unable to continue during the 2nd semester.

There Always Has to be One

Violin Ensemble

from left to right: Isac (the director of the conservatory and our violin teacher) Samuel, André (one of Jessica's classmates), Fabinho, Jessica, and Lori

Outside of school and church, Jessica and I participate in a small violin ensemble. It adds a different dimension to our lives because we rub shoulders with people in the community that we wouldn't otherwise even have the chance of getting to know.

In a culture where kids don't have the opportunity to participate in school band or choir, it gives Jessica a chance to learn what it is like to play along with others and to be responsible to learn and carry her own part in the group.

We get together once a week for a couple of hours to practice and develope our repetoir in addition to presentations (usually one or two a month).

The members of our group are pretty serious about music and generally pay attention, learn their parts and get down to business. Well, that is, except for one...he is almost always late, practices between songs, goofs around, forgets his music, etc. For the most part we are pretty gracious and forgiving, but sometimes it gets to be a little too much. :) But isn't that the way it usually goes? There always has to be one!

I Can Read!!!

Anabel is very pleased to show you her new Bible. It is the BIG prize for learning how to dicifer the symbols that when joined together represent words in our language...in an other word (pun intended!) READING!

As if that isn't enough, she is accomplishing this in two languages, simultaneously, with no difficulty in discerning between the two. What you and I wouldn't give to have a fresh new brain like that, huh!

In an age where kids are spoon-fed t.v., movies, videos, video games, etc, there isn't much motivation for "turning on the brain". The practice of reading just isn't the "activity of choice". Kids just want to veg and let it all soak in.

So, we are celebrating as the last of our 3 kids has passed this milestone. Next time you are in Mossoró for lunch, don't be surprised if a 6 year old asks you to read to her or, better yet, be read to after the meal. There isn't anything she would like better!

In case you would like to write Anabel a note for her to READ, her e-mail is
anabelstucky@gmail.com

In case anyone is interested, the method I used to teach all three of the girls how to read (in English!) can be found at the following web site. It came highly recommended to me and I also very highly recommend it.
http://www.startreading.com/

It Could Be You!

Chris Senner from Washington just arrived from the US. He is here to do wiring at ALPHA (He also had fresh mango juice for lunch!)

Over the last 15 years in Brazil, we have hosted quite a number of visitors who have come to serve and learn. The first was Ken's cousin Melina. She came for 4 months back in 1994. That was her first time. After she got married, she brought her husband Steve. They are now missionaries in Papua New Guinea.

While Melina was here, her cousin (our cousin, too), Eric came. That was the first of 3 visits he made to help us set up computer equipment, set up music software, bring us even more equipment...you get the idea.

Does it look like people who come to visit are obligated to come back? You can be the judge of that. Renee is here right now teaching English for her 2nd time. Maybe it's that they just can't stay away.

Since 1994 we have hosted 30+ from Washington State, 24 from South Dakota, 11 from Iowa, 11 from Nebraska, 3 from Texas, 3 from Kansas, 2 from Illinois, 2 from Oklahoma, and 4 from Mali, West Africa. Quite a number of these made repeat trips. Like Gilbert and his daughter Jessica who are planning to bring the entire family next summer.

There are many reasons to come visit: teaching English for 2 weeks - 6 months, mix cement and get hands dirty, build a septic system, wiring, needing to understand what on earth the Stucky's are always talking about, vacation, or just gotta have some of that fresh mango juice. :)

If you are interested in what opportunities might be here for you, write or call us. Would love to have you.

kenstucky@gmail.com

loristucky@gmail.com

home phone: 5584-3312-1012

or Skype at: loristucky

Zoom On In

Arial photo taken about 5 years ago of ALPHA'S property

(the Ken Stucky house is just off the bottom of the picture)

Thanks to Phil Goosen we now have the official coordinates of the Stucky house. Just paste these numbers -5 12 55.4, -37 20 5.3 (yes, all at the same time!) into Google Earth and you can virtually dive into our swimming pool from outer space.

Don't have Google Earth...you don't know what you are missing. We have been all over the world and back (in less than 80 days!). Go to the following link to download some fun. :)

http://download3dearth.googlepages.com/english

OOOO!!!! AHHHH!!!

Alicia and Anabel with Uncle Jason and Aunt Debby Kraai

Mossoró, March 2006

Back in March my sister and brother-in-law came to visit. This was the culmination of a couple of years of thought and planning (for them AND us!). My brother-in-law, Jason, is a cabinet maker. My kitchen has needed cabinets for a long time. So Jason and Debby came down to help me realize a dream...an island for my kitchen.

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After lots of measuring, drawing up plans, and buying harware, they came down and started into this project. Unfortunately, because of some problems on our end, things didn't get started quite as fast as we had hoped and their time didn't allow for completion, but GETTING STARTED is the important thing.

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Last night we moved it into the kitchen (just Ken, Jessica, Alicia and I) and put the granite on top. (You'll have to ask Ken to give you an estimate on how heavy this puppy is.) Still needs the drawer fronts and doors, but it has already made a great addition to the kitchen just in extra counter top. Extra high for stools on both ends to pull up to and do homework or peel potatoes and storage you can get at from both sides.

The girls are thrilled to have room for ALL the dry dishes before putting them away. :)

Just to give you an idea of the height, I put a normal chair by one end.

Proclamation of the Republic

How's your history? I never really appreciated it till I was all grown up. Now I can't seem to get enough of it.

Today is November 15th, a national holiday in Brazil. It marks the end of Brazil's monarchy and the beginning of a republican form of government. Brazil is the only country in the "new world" whose monarch left the "old world" and set up house in the "colony". (Photo: Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil, 1873)
Actually, the royal family was escaping anihalation. Napoleon was on the move and they believed he was moving in their direction. Better to get out of the way than to face the music.

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I think it is quite interesting that at about the same time the Portuguese royals were on the run, Napoleon needed a little extra cash to keep his army supplied. Thus, he sold off France's territory in the "new world" (to be known by future generations as the Louisiana Purchase).

In case you are dying to know more, check it out on...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil

So what are we doing on such a historic day? Well, there is no school...YIPEE! Ken worked in the office and took a nap. I defrosted the freezer and helped Anabel clean up her play corner (which was threatening to take over the entire house!). Jessica had a friend over. They swam, made cookies, cleaned up the kitchen, played games and practiced their instruments.

Jessica and Sara practicing for ALPHA's recital end of November

November is also the month that our acacia tree is in full bloom. The air was perfectly still while I sat outside for my devotions. The blossoms really perfumed the air. Wish you could have been here to enjoy it, too.

ACACIA tree, or otherwise known here in Brazil as "gold rain"

Worth 1000 Words

Just a quick reminder: don't forget to check out previous posts for pictures that were added after-the-fact. You wouldn't want to miss anything!

Silas Stucky (2 yrs)

Things Don't Always Go as Planned

Swimming unexpectedly came to an end for Alicia when she cracked her chin open on the bottom of the pool. One trip to the emergency clinic and 5 stitches later, she was almost as good as new!

(January 2005)

Hey, isn't that how life is? We decide we are going to do something like "this" or like "that" and suddenly things don't go the way we thought they would. Personally, I think it is just to keep us on our toes and totally dependent on HIM. It also serves to mature us and gives us opportunites to act and react the way HE would.

So, what happened today that didn't go as planned? I wouldn't have mentioned any of this if something unexpected hadn't come up, right? Oh, you mean like that flat tire that we found on the van after school? So much for running downtown like I had needed to. Oh, you mean like the really awesome English class I had planned? The one where the kids looked at me with blank stares and fell asleep? (no joking!) And that is just wee tiny compared to...

...relatives that wrote about having to make an unexpected trip for medical treatment and forced to leave their 3 small children behind for over a week. Or the friends and collegues that took unplanned leaves of absence from their work and ministries because their lives were totally turned upside down by life threatening disease.

We never know what is going to happen from one minute to the next. Guess we should lean even harder on the One who is in control. He promised to always be there beside us no matter what.

Through the Bible in a Year

Sunset at the Christ is Life Church

(A spectacular show every Sunday night!)

Late last year I decided to give my "read the Bible in a year" goal an extra shot in the arm. I figured that I would always miss some days, so I started sometime in the middle of December, cause I wanted to see if I could REALLY make it to the end of the year "on schedule".

Just for variety, I decided to read through chronologically. Since I don't have one of those fancy Bibles that is conveniently layed out in that order, I went searching on the web to find a reading plan. Back to the Bible's web site,
http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/bible_guides.htm
has several, including reading chronologically.

On vacation in July I forgot my purse at our first stop after leaving home. Terribly disappointed, I knew I would have a hard time catching up later (my Bible was in my purse!). Finally, after getting my purse back and a few more months of reading, I made it through all the OT prophets (that is even tougher than reading through Leviticus!) and made it to the NT.

As of today, I am 5 days ahead of schedule and have "discovered" so many things I had never noticed before. For example, do you know who accompanied Joseph of Aramathia in taking Jesus' body off the cross and what did they take with them? I'm not going to give it to you that easy...you'll have to figure it out for yourself! If you don't already know, I think it will surprise you. :)

Haven't decided what I am going to do next year. Maybe read through in Portuguese? Maybe Historically? Will see. Still have over a month to decide!

Are Those Battle Airplanes?

QUESTION: What is sweeter than Brazilian coffee or the most sinful chocolate cake you have ever sunk your teeth into (like I ate tonight!)?
ANSWER: Getting to sleep in till 7a.m.! Since we normally get up at 5:15 a.m. it is almost like getting a mini vacation.

Had a short but good visit with Ellie, a single missionary who lives in Fortaleza. She was here on business working with Ron on mission finances.

Ken left to go see some property out of town about 12 kilometers. Pretty much "savana" type terrain. Very dry.

Has possibilities of really being something, but would take a lot of money and time to do it. He had a good opportunity to visit and witness to the people who are interested in selling it. They have a grandchild who is on the waiting list to go to ALPHA next year.

After my nap this afternoon I took some coffee over to Renee and Larissa to drink with cake and to catch up on their lives. Pretty funny stories about getting set up and the funny situations they get themselves into.

One of Jessica's classmates turned 13. Her mom had a birthday party for her and asked Ken to speak a few words to the guests. He used the parable about the rich fool who stored up worldy goods and thought he could just sit back and live the good life. He applied it to how we need to store up riches in those things that can not be seen: relationships with family, with Christ, in the Word, not waste time doing meaningless stuff, but studying hard, etc.

Ken had youth group at our house while Jessica went to adolescents group at Ron and Ranelle's. Alicia, Anabel and I looked around on Google Earth and found our house and checked out the airplanes at the airport. You would have thought Anabel was a boy the way she was ooing and ahhing over the planes. I tried to put the coordinates for our house, the school and the church in this blog, but couldn't figure it out. Write and ask, and I can forward an e-mail to you with the coordinates.

Can I have 3rds?

Friday always has a nice ring to it. This one was no exception with the fact that we knew the day was already packed full before it even started.

After managing to make it through the morning's regularly scheduled activities, we were able to get a decent nap (considering that we were becoming sleep deprived after the last few day's happenings this was a VERY good thing). Violin lessons started at 3pm.

Anabel, our official "Twinkler"

Everyone but Ken had to present to the teacher what they were working on. Anabel is pretty excited...she is an official "Twinkler" now. She has accomplished learning the whole song.

Jessica and I took off to ensemble practice downtown while Ken geared up for the Good Grades Party for the 1st - 4th graders with and 85% + average. After practice, we raced home to a party in progress, Jessica went to Uncle Ron and Aunt Ranelle's to babysit and I started heating up all those ham and cheese crescents. (Ah, so that is what those things were for!)

Two of our Honor Roll Students...Louise and Myrla

23 of the 32 kids eligible came. After thrashing around in the pool with Ken, everyone changed and pigged out on crescents and (get this) as much ICE CREAM as they could possibly hold. Then those same kids wanted to jump on the trampoline. UGG!!! Ok, just so long as no one throws up, deal?

Parents were waiting outside our door on the side walk to pick up their kids ON TIME. Ken had stated on the invitation that there were be an extra charge of R$500 for picking up your kids late. :)

Taco Anyone?

Had a bit of company yesterday. Bill and Dorothy Kettlewell came for lunch after making purchases downtown for their church in Aracati, Ceará. I raced home after my last class to make taco shells and get everything on the table.

Dorothy couldn't wait till after lunch to show me her "pocket saxophone" or XAPHOON (it's real name) even though she thought I had already seen one. It was the most amazing thing. Looks like a recorder (flauta doce) being about the same length and the holes, but is slightly conical and uses a tenor sax reed instead of a "flute" mouthpiece. It sounds 2 octaves lower than a recorder; the sound is somewhat between a saxophone and a clarinet. To check this out on the web, go to http://xaphoon.com/

After they left, I picked Jessica up from the conservatory and came home to make 60 cinnamon rolls for a baby shower, 96 more ham and cheese crescents and a pizza for our small group at 5:30 pm. Kept working till 9pm when I couldn't keep my eyes open any more and called it a day.

Just for a bit of variety, here is how we do soft shelled tacos in South America. Maybe another time I will tell you how to do the refried beans, salsa, sour cream,....

TACO SHELLS

Put in bowl (you can use a mixer with a dough hook or knead by hand)
4 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
In measuring cup add:
1 cup water
9 Tbsp. oil
Add liquid to dry and knead until consistent. Break off into balls about the size of large eggs.
Heat a non-stick skillet to medium heat. Prepare a large plate with a tea towel over it to pop your shells under while you make the others.

Roll out your dough ball (use plenty of flour) till it gets super thin. You will be able to see the counter through it. You will have to flip it over and roll on the other side a few times in order to get it this thin. If your dough is softer, this is easier to do. The harder the dough, the more elbow grease you need to accomplish this.

Place the rolled out shell on the skillet. Do not use any oil. When the shell starts to look like it is getting little blisters or bubbles, flip it over to the other side and do the same. (a little less time on the second side than the first) Take it off and put it on the plate under the towel. The towel is used to keep in the moisture. Otherwise your shells will crack when you try to fold them.

Once you get into a rhythm, you can roll one out in the time it takes you to fry one. If you have any left over (doesn't happen too often at my house!), you can freeze them in a plastic bag (wait till they are cool).

What is a "day off?"

It is "hump day". The day that can't claim it is a member of the beginning of the week or almost the end of the week. It is this day that we have claimed as our day off.

Maybe the bigger question is, "Who on earth would take off in the middle of the week?" Don't normal people with normal jobs work on Wednesday? What's our problem, anyway?

School takes up the normal Monday through Friday routine. Can't do much to change that. Church takes up Saturday and Sunday. Can't do much to change that either. So maybe we better look for a better job than being school administrators and church planting. Well, since that is out of the question, we decided a long time ago that we would back off in the middle of the week when ministry demands weren't quite so high.

Basically, we don't schedule weekly events on our day off. No teaching, no church events and keep any other commitments (outside of family) down to a minimum. Once in a blue moon we take off for somewhere in order to escape the doorbell, phone, etc. but most times try to catch up on stuff that gets pushed aside during the rest of the week.

So there you have it. Today was one such day. I went with Ken to the granite store to mark the opening for the faucet and sink that will be installed in the women's bathroom at church. We stopped for coffee and a pastry and then to a warehouse grocery store for a few supplies. Managed to get Jessica to her class at the conservatory and home and bake 96 ham and cheese crescent rolls for a special event on Friday.

Date Night

Tuesday night is "date night". Ken and I take off for a couple of hours most Tuesday evenings to spend some time together. Our favorite spot is Mamma Itália, our local Italian restaurant (owned an operated by a true blue Italian). Subjects we discuss range from our kids to ALPHA to goals to ALPHA to church to ALPHA to construction to ALPHA...you get the picture. :) It is some of the best invested time in the week.

What happens to the girls? Most recently, they have been putting themselves to bed, but sometimes we manage a baby sitter.

Road Trip

It was a little difficult to get up for school this morning, but somehow we managed. Jessica and I got home (at 1:30 am) from a trip to Pau dos Ferros (a smaller town in our state) where our violin ensemble played at the opening of "University Week" at the State campus there.

There was a full moon rising over the open air court where we played at the end of their opening ceremony. :)

This was our second "road trip" this year as a group. I don't mind keeping trips like that at a minimum, especially since they get us home terribly late (on school nights!).

The trip itself was fun. The university really took care of us when we got there...airconditioned room to change and practice in, food, drink and fed us before we left again for Mossoró.

The Launch

Welcome to my little Spot in cyberspace. Thanks for stopping by. Looking forward to keeping you entertained and informed.
LORI