Happy New Year

Well, as any good person would do, I am beginning this new year with a resolution to update my blog more regularly. I want to make sure I keep you all informed of the great things that are happening here in Portugal, but also the ways that I need prayer.

After a wonderful holiday home in the States for two weeks, I'm back here in Portugal now. This week we jumped right back into things. School was back in session on Monday and we've had what has seemed like a slow week of getting back into the swing of things. Today I was able to teach my first real music class since beginning here. Up until now I had been preparing the kids for the Christmas program, but now with that out of the way, we can work on musical concepts. I had a ton of fun doing that today, but I'm not so sure the kids did! I hope to be able to make music a fun time for them in the coming weeks. Music is an important part of worship and I want them to enjoy it!

In case you were unaware, I've been taking Portuguese lessons twice a week for about 3 months now. This past Tuesday was my first lesson again after a two week break and it was hard to get my brain back in gear! However, God gave me the time and desire to study over the break and the lesson this Tuesday was very encouraging as I realized that I knew many more words than I had previously. I was also encouraged yesterday as I recognized more words out and about town.

Tomorrow is the ABWE Portugal Field Counsel's annual meeting. I will get to hear yearly reports of how God has been working here on this field. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the other missionaries again and hearing what God has been doing in their various ministries.

Ways you can pray right now are:
1.) That I will have patience and wisdom in teaching the boys in my class. It has been difficult for all of us to get back into school and my frustration level has skyrocketed on various occasions this week. I am an up-front example of Christianity for them- so I ask for prayer that I would be a good one.

2.) That God would allow me to learn the Portuguese language as quickly as possible. I am missing out on building relationships with many Portuguese until I can learn their language.

3.) That God would give me physical strength and health. I've been dealing with a cold again this week that seems to keep coming back.

Okay, that's all for now!