On Thursday, we went shopping in Recife. Brazil is quite expensive, I think pretty much for most items, except for labour. We constantly ponder how it is possible people afford anything here. We were in particular looking for some household items, for example, a wardrobe (most homes don't seem to have closets). We discovered most of them are pricey and made of plywood and veneer. We decided we'd look around closer to home and possibly buy a small one to "make-do" until we bring furniture from home hopefully. We did buy a small plastic shelving unit for our towels and a shower curtain and rod, which I was really excited about. The last place we went was Sam's Club, and I was excited to find it was like Costco (it's owned by walmart, but has the same concept of paying for membership and getting things cheaper). I didn't buy a membership because Shaun was not with me (filling up for gas), the store is in Recife, we currently are only here for two more months, and we had already done most of our shopping. I am kind of excited we did all our other shopping first, so we could see what a "good deal" it was. Also Brazilians have not bought into the idea of bulk purchasing and membership fees, so it was incredibly empty! Their typical store has many many small items, from their baby wipes to their margarine containers, and that is the preferred way to shop. I am so pumped to go back, which we may this week as we're supposed to go up to another wedding in Recife on Thursday.
Lyla also turned TWO this past Friday. Shaun went to a meeting in Maceio that morning, so he didn't even see her before he left, and didn't see her until she woke up from her nap at 4:00. That morning, all the kids enjoyed the singing of Aaron and Tania's kidlets on an emailed video, including Aaron sneaking in behind them and popping his head out to sing like a goof. We watched it many, many, many times. Then we had Aunty Tessa's singing on Skype, and Lyla opened her gift when Shaun returned while James and Aunty Lee watched on Skype. Yes, technology is a beautiful thing.
The next day, we spent the afternoon at Sandro and Djane's terreno. Sandro and Moizes and a few others had gone fishing in the morning so we ate fried fish all afternoon, with rice and potatoes and chicken sausage. Then we sang Happy Birthday in Portuguese and English to Lyla and she got to blow out a #2 candle. I just don't know how a kid can have a birthday without having a picture of them blowing out a candle. I think it was more for me than her. I found out the cake mix here works great, and they have this cream in a box you whip and it is delicious for icing. The Vanspronsen family was down as well, with Rev. Vanspronsen Sr. and his wife too, as they are on the coast for a few days to relax after Rev. Vanspronsen had spent two weeks teaching at the theological seminary. Rev. Vansponsen was the first Reformed missionary here in Brazil, so it must be so incredible to see how the work has spread. It was a wonderful relaxing day, complete with slushy caipiroscas. Delicioso! (Caipiroscas are generally limes, vodka, sugar and ice. The actual official drink of Brasil is a Caipirinha, which is made with the sugar cane rum instead). At the end of the day it was only us and Sandro and Djane left, and Sandro reiterated how we were his family now, and we can call him for anything, etc. etc. It is special to hear that, especially being so far from our families here.
That night our neighbours also gave Lyla a gift of perfume! It is very popular to have children's perfume for after they shower, especially since Brazilians love to smell children. And to tell you the truth, it's kind of contagious. That baby/child smell is so...delicioso! Probably because they don't smell like us sweaty adults in the heat! I am excited to be able to spray my children down with perfume now. Lyla and Hazel both are in love with it as well.
So that brings us to today... It was a cool day. I just looked at the temperature for the day and it says it did get up to 30, but it was cloudy with bouts of rain, so I even wore pants this afternoon! I wonder what the temperature has actually been if I thought today was cool! Rev. Vanspronsen preached this morning in our church. I have to admit, he speaks much slower and clearer than the native Brazilian preachers, so we could follow a little better. Maybe we understand his Dutch accent! Then Moizes and Bete invited us for lunch, where the Vanspronsens were again. We had a feast of octopus (see picture above of man holding many little octopi). I enjoyed it slightly more than the first time we had it a couple years ago.
So another enjoyable day comes to an end. We did take a couple pictures today of the tiny lizard that Seth found that was molting, but it's still on my camera. It's tail did actually fall off as well when Lyla went to pick it up one too many times. I'll have to include that on another "animal post." Oh, speaking of animals, we also saw a marmoset outside our house this morning, which was pretty neat.
We thank God for a day of rest, for blessings of fellowship with brothers and sisters throughout the world, for health, for birthdays, for traveling mercies. May you all experience these blessings as well.
Love Brenda
PS I'm too tired to spellcheck, etc., so don't judge :) Good Night to All!
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