ALPHA Jr. High Band 2009 Parent's Night

ALPHA's 2009 Jr. High Band is off to a bang with it's first concert. Of the 20 students in band this year, only 8 are returning students. The other 12 have only been practicing for 2 months. Because band is not part of the "school culture" in Brazil, many of the parents don't have a feel for the big picture. They hear their child practicing at home and wonder, "is this all there is to it?"


Our first presentation is dedicated to our band parents in an effort to draw them in, let them catch a glimps of the "big picture" and encourage them to put up with the squeaking and squawking for just a little while longer. It really will get better!


Below are two video clips of our presentation. First clip is everyone (new and returning students) together and the second clip is 7 of the 8 students who have been playing for at least a year. With no trumpets in our advanced band, an extra "student" filled in to cover the part. :)

I.D.K. is fun to perform with each section taking turns standing in the middle of the song,

and Big Beat Boogie is a "swing" piece for all you jazz lovers.

Catching Up

March/April 2009 have just whizzed by...I have no idea how. In an effort to make ammends, here are some of the "happenings"....

Anabel received a "Flat Stanley" that she took to introduce to her classmates at ALPHA before sending back to her 2nd cousin in Georgia. Check out the book to discover why a little paper man came to visit.

Unusually beautiful sunset in April.

ALPHA Staff Retreat at our British friends' house and church 40 miles from Mossoró.

Ron's brilliant organizational skills helped us get this 1008 piece puzzle put together before we finished the retreat (in less than 48 hours).

Atenildo checking out the "loo"...10 gummies for any correct guesses as to what that is!

Cooling off in the water hole.

Ok, one picture of my white legs is enough already! (From the looks of it, Jon thinks so, too.)

9 in 2009

Blow harder! Maybe it won't re-light next time. :)

Anabel is our "Millenium Baby". She just discovered that she shares the same b-day with David Livingstone, whose biography we just finished reading. It has been a long time for her to wait till she turned 9 years ago and just days after, she is already a pro at just "being" 9.

Perfume and jewlery...what more can a girl ask for?!?!

Her accomplishments this year are:

• Devouring as many books as she can get her hands on...she says that reading Portuguese is easier than English!
• Getting to go "upstairs" to the second floor at ALPHA for 3rd grade
• Learning how to cook
• Taking piano lessons

All who celebrated Anabel's 9th birthday. Parabéns!!!

Homeward Bound

The three of us with barely enough room in the Mazda 626...thanks Pete!!!

Jessica's birthday was eventful...she got to ride more than 650 miles from Springfield, IL to Atlanta, GA. Yipeee, right?!?! Before we even got started, we were graced with a wonderful breakfast with fellow missionaries. Later in the day we stopped for lunch with relatives in Nashville, TN.



The Brazil Birthday Breakfast Bunch


Meeting my aunt and uncle and folks (who were visiting) in Nashville for lunch on Jessica's birthday


Many have been asking Jessica about the violin and computer that she needed before we left the States. Well, the computer arrived 3 hours before we split out of Des Moines and the violin was waiting for us in Atlanta. How's that for timing?

Jessica with her new violin and computer.

Happy 16th, Jessica!

Having supper with friends


Jessica will be 16 on March 4th, but we had an early celebration since we will be on the road heading to Atlanta to catch our flight on the 6th.



The cake requested? Super Moist Chocolate Cake with Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa and, of course 16 candles...mmmmm!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESSICA!

Video: Jessica's Birthday at the Korthal's house. Enjoy!

The Tropics in Winter

Orquids in February at the Botanical Center in Des Moines

It has been 19 years since I have been in the midwest in the winter. My remedy to beat the cold has been to drink LOTS of hot tea and hot chocolate and wear as much clothing as I can and still be able to move.

Spending time with Jessica

Today just before it rained and hailed here in central Iowa, the three of us stepped into the Botanical Center to enjoy the plants, flowers and humidity. It felt just like home...only a teeny bit cooler. :)

What I wish my yard looked like...

Just enjoying being together.

As a sidenote...Ken found a wee job in the line of cement and agregate...

Demolition and concrete. Keeps him young. :)

100% HUMIDITY

Alicia and her cousin Andrew 4 years ago during rainy season in Mossoró.

There isn’t much that compares with the first real rain of the season. Maybe it is watching everyone run out into the rain to enjoy the awesome coolness after too many months of really hot, really dry weather. It could be the adrenilin rush that you get from racing for for the pans, buckets and basins to catch all the leaks (because of shifting ceiling tiles or windows that don’t seal) that have been forgotten in the last 8 months since the last real rain. Or maybe it is the excitement of running around and unplugging EVERYTHING because the lightning is ominously close? Once struck by lightning you never see your appliances quite the same again. Half of the appliances will burn out in the split second lightning strikes and the other half will burn out when the electrical current surges back just seconds after.

Looking out over into our yard from the balcony of our apartment. Beautiful!

Despite the inconveniences of leaks, power outages, and radio internet going down, the rain is more than welcome. The interior is in desperate need of water for crops, animals and daily living. Everywhere, the unbearable heat has been replaced by the coolness provided by cloud cover and the rain itself. The thick brown dust that has been covering everything green is washed off so colors are once again visible and vibrant. (Not to mention a little less cleaning for at least a couple of days!)

A peek at our house through the trees...freshly painted (the house, that is!)

Clara, who is scared of thunder, is quite happy for the "special treatment." :)