Christmas photos

Here are some Christmas pictures! I hope you have a great New Year! Don't these missionaries have a lot of great kids? I have had a lot of fun with them!

Nova

Merry Christmas! Christ is alive!

Hi everyone,
Merry Christmas!!! I pray that God will bless all of your family celebrations this year! Thank the Lord for His Birthday today but not only that but for His sacrifice on Calvary. I will be going over to a missionary's house for brunch this morning. I am excited that everyone is getting together on His Birthday! The story doesn't end there- He is alive!

Luke 24:1-7-" But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"

Here are some of my favorite Christmas verses:

Matthew 1:23-"BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL, which translated means, "GOD WITH US."

Luke 1:26-38- "Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendents of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.' But she was very perplexed at this statement, kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.' And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His Kingdom will have no end.' Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I am a virgin?' The angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.' And Mary said, 'Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her."

Luke 2:4-14- "Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold , I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'"

The story goes on and the shepherds went to Bethlehem and told Mary and Joseph about this Child. Mary ponders all these things in her heart and the Shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just had been told to them.


PRAISE THE FATHER! GLORIFY THE LORD!
AMEN!
Nova

Emergency rooms and Cortisone Shots

Hi everyone,
I hope you are blessed this Christmas season! As you know, I have been sick the last 4 or 5 days. I was in bed for most of those days! I went to hospital to find out what was wrong with me because I had a severe cough as well as congestion. The doctor thinks that my symptoms were allergy related to a beginning sinus infection. So she gave me breathing treatments as well as a cortisone shot. It worked today. My symptoms have gotten much better. I am still getting used to the climate here. I am also taking allergy medicine, cough syrup, and an antibiotic. Pray that my body will adjust quickly. Thank the Lord, I am here in Belem. Thank-you for YOUR many Blessings!


Amen!
Nova

Children and Colds

Hi everyone,
I hope you are well. Okay, I have been around adults for most of the last 18 months and I haven't really gotten sick. Well, I have been here at the school for 5 or 6 days and guess what I am sick. As soon as I got around children, I got sick. Please pray that I won't be sick for my entire Christmas break. I love the children not their germs though!

Nova

Pictures of my Apartment and AVA Christmas Program

Hi everyone,

Here are some pictures of my apartment in Belem and pictures of some of my future students in January.

In His Service,

Nova

I am finally in Belem!!! After 18 months from start to finish!!

Hi everyone,
I am here in Belem! The missionaries here are so sweet. They have provided me with a very nice apartment and even a Christmas tree! I am so blessed! I found out that I will be probably teaching 1st grade instead of 3rd/4th grade. I like 1st grade a lot. Praise the Lord that He worked that out! I will post pictures soon of Belem!

In His Service,
Nova

Brendon's Family

Brendon's Family and Alexis' friend

They got this doll because it looked like me! Tears! Wow, God is good!

Hi everyone,

I went to Brendon's house to give him the things that he and his family needed for their home. They don't have much at all yet they bought me a doll. See photo! Brendon's mother said that I was her angel from God. May the Lord bless this family richly!

Nova

More Photos and Festas (Parties)

Hi everyone,

Here are some more pictures from parties I have gone to in the last few days. Brazilians love festas and so do I. Saying goodbye is hard though. Scroll down to see additional photos from a post yesterday.

Nova

Saying Goodbye

Hi everyone,

I hope you are well. Today was my last day of formal language school. It was hard to say goodbye to all of my new friends. They are friendships that I will treasure for a lifetime. I will be flying to Belem on Monday. I love these Brazilians!

Deus Te Abencoe,

May God bless you!

Nova

LORD, YOU are so Faithful and YOU broke down the Barrier!!!

Hi everyone,
I led a Bible study last night in Portuguese for about 20 minutes. The LORD has been so faithful in my language ability! I spoke about Acts 11, where Peter spoke and had to explain why the gospel is for all peoples. I also got to share an expanded version of my testimony. I have been practicing this for weeks. I told them about my leg, my life prior to my conversion, my conversion, and how I got on the mission field. Also, my leg is healing and it is not as painful.

LORD, thank-you for giving me this opportunity to share the story YOU gave me and to impact people for Your Kingdom. LORD, you are exalted and the whole earth is filled with YOUR GLORY.

From the Bible study last night (I read to verse 13 in Portuguese)

Ephesians 2:11-22-"Therefore, remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands--remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross,, by it having put to death the enmity. And He CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE WERE NEAR; for though Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into the dwelling of God in the Spirit."


Thank-you, LORD for making a way for all mankind!
Amen!
Nova

Infection and Bible Study Requests

Hi everyone,
I hope you are well. I wanted to pass along some prayer requests.

• Please be in prayer for a Bible study on Acts 11:1-18 that I am leading tonight in Portuguese. Pray that God will be honored by what I say.
• I have had some issues with my stump recently. I have a minor staph infection. Please pray for healing.
• Please pray for Brandon's family as they move to another house.
• Please pray for my transition to Belem in one week.

I will give updates soon!

In Christ,

Nova

Tissues and the Gospel

Hi everyone,
God has truly blessed me the last few days. I wanted to share a great story. As you know, I went on a church camp a few weeks ago. While I was there, I had developed relationships with many of the children . There was one little boy that was particularly special to me named Brandon. (I am spelling it the American way) He just became a Christian about 2 months ago and He is getting baptized in a few months. He helped me with my Portuguese and also with helping me find the books of the Bible. Brandon saw his dad die from a heart attack when he was only 5 years old. His family just had a flood in his house and their roof caved in. Through it all, his faith never wavers. He is truly an amazing, young boy. My language teacher, Silvia and I were invited into his house the other day. We got to speak to his mother for a little while and I began to share my testimony in Portuguese and she had been crying because of some of her life circumstances, so I gave her a tissue from my purse. This family does not have very much but it is evident that she loves her children. (Brandon has a little sister) She said that she would keep the tissue forever. She wrote my name and the date on this tissue. She wants to remember that day when Nova gave her a tissue and my visit to her house. I also got to share a brief gospel presentation. Also, she did not want my language teacher to see her house and she allowed Silvia and I into her house because I had a relationship with her son. Silvia had been trying for a long time to visit their family. I am glad God used me, so that their church can help this family.

Wow, what an emotional moment. Kleenex would pay me for a story like that.

Putting things into Perspective!
How thankful I am to have all I needed and ever wanted. Do we think of a tissue as being special? I didn't until yesterday. God can truly use anything for His Glory and for His Kingdom!

We must be ready for His leading! Paul says it so well in this verse: "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2

Praise God the Father, the Maker of Heaven and Earth!

Amen!
Nova

Giving Thanks beyond Measure!

Hi everyone,
The Lord has been so good to me this year. He gave me a second family to celebrate Thanksgiving with this year. We had many traditional American dishes such as green been casserole and pumpkin pie. Wow, they tasted especially good this year. I am thankful for such great friends. The Brazilians really liked the American dishes as well. I even got to play hide and go seek with some of the missionary children who were there. It was great fun!!

Lord, I cannot express my gratitude to You! You have given me everything I have and I boast because of YOU! I will tell and declare Your mighty works and wonders. How I am so unworthy to be in Your presence but yet You reached down to Me. Thank-you for revealing Yourself to Me. That I might see Your Son. Thank-you for Your salvation and Your Spirit living in me. Thank-you for YOUR GRACE! That I didn't deserve!!

Romans 15:16-18, it states: "to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed"

Psalm 26:7-8, it states:"That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving And declare all Your wonders. O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells."

Praise Him! Forever in Your Service! Amen!
Nova

Pictures from My Acampamento and Video of a Church Service

I will post my video as soon as I get it. Look on the side and see a picture of me praying after I gave my testimony in Portuguese. I am posting a video of one of the church services too.

My friends are worshipping the LORD!



The beautiful lake!

The ducks on the lake!

This hut is where I had some delicious snacks!

People are cheering for their favorite soccer team!


This was our lover's lunch. It was a dedication to couples and also to the love of God!

Look at the beautiful scenery


Yes, I am wearing a soccer shirt. This was our soccer lunch.




My friend Jessica and her mom

Table decorations for the soccer lunch.

I love these children!

This is the hotel, where I stayed.

We had so much food!

One of our church services!

This is our church service in Portuguese!

Faith like Potatoes

Hi everyone,
I hope everyone is good. Last week, I went to Bible study and we are studying the life of Paul in the Book of Acts. We spoke of the faith of Paul and the faith of the early Church. This study has been a real encouragement to me. Then we watched Faith like Potatoes. It was good to be reminded of simple truths of God's faithfulness and mercy. A recurring theme that God has taught me is total obedience and total reliance on Him. He is faithful even when I am not. I have also been doing a study through 1 Samuel-2 Kings for the last 40 days. Let's see...what did I learn...David was faithful and returned to the Lord after a season of sin...God choose to use His servant for the lineage of Christ. We must bathe everything in prayer and ask for prayers for his people. God carries out his justice and sometimes we need a good dose of reality and humbleness. Thank-you, O Lord, for your wisdom and your grace!

I will leave you with this from the Scriptures:

First, a prayer of Solomon:
I Kings 8:23-"He said, 'O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all your heart...v.30-Listen to the supplication of Your servant of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear in heaven Your dwelling place; hear and forgive.'"

Second, a prayer from Elijah:
1 Kings 18:36-37- "At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, 'O LORD, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Israel, today let it be known the You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. Answer me, O LORD, that this people may know You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.'"

Lastly, a prayer from Hezekiah:
2 Kings 19:15-19-"Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said, 'O LORD, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made the heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear, open your eyes, O LORD, and see; and listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. Now, O LORD our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.'"

O LORD, I pray, that we will get rid of our idols and worship, YOU ALONE, so that the ALL NATIONS might see YOU! BREAK US!!!

Amen!
Your Servant,
Nova

Clothing Sizes and Update on My Campout

Hi Everyone,
The girl who is sending me the video is moving this week so I have not received the video yet or any pictures. I hope to get them soon.

I lost a few pounds since I have been here so I decided to buy a new pair of capris because my other ones were too big. I bought a size 40! Okay, I realize that is not the US sizing chart but it is still a shock when you have bought a much smaller size number your entire life. On the upside, I weigh 61 kilos. That makes a girl proud. It is crazy, how much girls pay attention to numbers, isn't it? God made me the right size just for me. Thank-you for making the person You want me to be and in Your image!

Campout in Written Form

Hi everyone,
As you know, I went on a campout last weekend. It was great for my Portuguese and for relationship building. In the next few days, I am going to post a video of me telling my testimony in Portuguese to about 75 people. Also, I will post pictures of my campout. I spoke in Portuguese for about 10 minutes! Check out my blog in a few days!!! By the way, this video is very choppy at points so bear with me! I will translate what I said too for you. Also, I was able to share the gospel for the first time in Portuguese to one girl at the camp. I also had the opportunity to talk to several kids at the camp. Also, I will be helping a college-aged girl named Jessica with her English for the next few weeks until I leave for Belem in December. She will also be helping me with my Portuguese. It is not a formal class or anything but it will be fun to get to hang out with her.

Ate mais, (until later)
Nova

New Country, New Language, New Hairstyle, and New Social Security Number

Hi everyone,
I hope you are well. As you know, I am in a new state of everything in my life. So why not change my hair and my Social Security Number as well. Okay, I did not change my social security number but I got the equivalent in Brazil. First, I got bangs for the first time since I was 12. My mom says that it is not really all that different but still it is a change. I will post pictures soon. My hair is short too. Linette, the hairdresser in Brazil teases me just as much as you do but in Portuguese!

Now...here is a crazy story!!

If you remember, I went to Federal Police a few weeks back to complete info to get a Social Security number (CPF number) for while I am in Brazil. Well, the federal police would not allow me to send my card to the missionary language school but they would only send it to my permanent address. Well, I live in a house that rents out rooms to boarders or mostly to university students. The homeowner must not know me as well as I thought because when my CPF number came in the mail. She didn't know who Nova was so she threw that letter in the trash!!! The Lord was watching out for me! The maid knew who I was and was going through the trash and found the letter. She opened because she saw my name on it and realized it was for me. She gave it to my roommate to give to me. I thanked her so much!!! One of the missionaries, the language director spoke to the homeowner and explained the situation to her. Thank-you, God for always putting someone in my path to protect me and for YOUR constant PROTECTION! I even got to speak to the homeowner some more today in Portuguese. You know my every need before I know I need it and sometimes even when I don't realize it. Praise the Lord! Amen!!!!

My Church Campout and Prayer Request

Hi everyone,
I am going on a church campout over the holiday weekend. It will be on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. It will be 3 days of total Portuguese. I am excited that I will be going on this trip because it is going to force me to speak in Portuguese the whole weekend. But also pray for physical strength and understanding. I am making progress in the language and I can hold on a conservation in Portuguese for about 2 hours. I will take my camera and I will post pictures of my campout. Until next time! Lord, thank-you for your external promises and You uplifting your servant. You constantly remind me where I have been and how You have delivered me. Thank-you for your forgiveness!!!! Thank-you for the honor of serving You in Your Work toward Your Kingdom!!! Amen!!!

Muito Prazer Book

Hi everyone,
I just completed book 2 of my language study. I passed my 2 hour oral examination. Okay, now I am tired. Continue to pray for understanding and strength. God, thank-you for being so good to me. All my studying and conversations have paid off! I love you, O LORD!

Tchau,
Nova

Brazilian Prayer

I am learning Brazilian Prayers in the second book of my study. Here is one prayer:

Senhor, nosso Deus,
Fortalece-nos com Teu poder. Pedimos-Te Tuas bencaos. Nos oramos em nome de Jesus. Amem!

Translation:
Lord, our God,
Strengthen us with Your power. We ask of Your blessings. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen!

Lord,
We do need Your power and Your blessings. Thank-you for all You do in Our lives!
Amen!

In His Power,
Nova

Bank and Cars

I thought I was done getting all my identification papers for Brazil but I was wrong. So today I went to the bank to get some financial papers in order so I can go to the Federal Police again on Friday. I was picked up at the Pousada, where I live and we were off to the bank or at least I thought. The car was making some strange noises. I noticed that the gasoline light was on. I said that the car needed gas in Portuguese. We went to the gas station and the car ran out of gas in the parking lot at the gas station. We were waiting in a line for the gas pump. Oh yeah, did I tell you the battery died too. We finally got enough gas in the car and someone helped us get the car going again. We drove the car to my language school where we picked up the Partridge's van from like 1960. I thought great we are exchanging a lemon car for the oldest van I have seen in years. However, it did get us to the bank.

Now, the bank...
If you have heard my stories about the metal detectors, they are not my friends. I am always checked and rechecked to see if I am carrying some type of weapon because my artificial leg has metal in it. The bank has a metal detector. So I empty out my purse with my keys and cell phone and I forgot about my leg. I walked through the metal detector. It is a revolving door. All the sudden the door stops, I am trapped. The metal detector is going off. Great! I come back through the way I came and told the security guard that I had an artificial leg. I am envisioning crazy things happening but guess what Brazilians are more gracious than when I get stopped at the airport or somewhere in the US. They said ok and let me through..no strip search or anything! I even got to go in the handicap line and I got out of the bank in like 20 minutes. Can you believe it? It is unheard of to get in and out of the bank that quickly here. Praise God! We ran out of gas in the gas station parking lot and I got out of the bank in 20 minutes. I even enjoyed the Partridge's van and spoke in some Portuguese!

The Zoo and My Language Mistake...This is Funny!

*Read my post from Wednesday first, if you haven't already. It will make this story make more sense.*

This afternoon I went to the zoo. I didn't take any pictures because I did not know I was going to the zoo until the last minute. I saw the largest python of my life. I saw the cutest bear ever. The zoo trainer was giving the bear milk and he was rolling over like a dog to get the milk. He had to swim across a pool in order to get the milk. He finished it very quickly. He must like milk. I also got my exercise for the day. It was a hilly zoo. Okay, Okay..now my mistake..the drum roll please!

If you remember that I had gotten lost earlier this week on the bus. So my language helpers and I were driving by the same streets that I had gotten lost on a few days before. So I wanted to say...I got lost riding the bus on this same street on Monday and the bus came this way the other day. Okay..here is what I said--I got lost farting the bus on this same street. So they started laughing so hard. I started to laugh not knowing why I started to laugh. Then they told me. I must have turned like 3 shades of red. I continued to laugh. Okay, it gets better. So I told you we went to the zoo. They said, "Wow, Nova it smells here..!" We all started to laugh.

I am glad that God has a sense of humor. I do!

Nova

My Bus Trip and My Evaluation Meeting

Hi everyone,
The missionaries want me to get used to riding the bus because that is going to be my main source of transportation here in Sao Paulo but also in Belem. My language helper and I thought I was ready to try it all by myself. I graduated to Pull Ups and solid food! I was thinking this will be a piece of cake, I have tried it dozens of times with my language helper. I told the bus driver where I was going and I had no major problems. That is until when I tried to do it by myself. The first problem was I was dropped at the wrong bus stop (ponto). I was dropped off at the one returning not the one going. Trust me that makes a difference. I was thinking I will just get the same bus that I take returning and I will be okay. The bus I needed was not on this particular bus stop. Yes, I can't find my way out of a wet paper bag! So I got on the bus and everything was fine. I attempted to tell the bus driver where I was going. He didn't seem all that concerned, so I sat down. Everything was great! Ta bom! For the first 15 minutes, I recognized the streets and it was okay. All of the sudden, I realized that I don't recognize any of these streets or stops. I am starting to think I am lost. (No, I am saved ) I said to myself this bus is supposed to circle around to my bus stop in front of the pousada, where I live. No, it continued downtown to another hospital and I was on the bus for about 45 minutes when I called the missionary and said I am lost. I saw the entire city. The Brazilians were helping me and I was communicating some in Portuguese. I found out that I had taken the wrong bus but it does circle around to my Pousada in about 2 or 3 hours. So I got at the bus stop at 12:30 and I didn't get home until 3:30pm. By the way, this bus goes on the hospital run. So there is a hospital in front of the Pousada but there are also several other hospitals. I found that out the hard way.

God is faithful. He knew that I needed to have this experience in order to strengthen my independence here and my ability to get around. I read in Romans 5 that I will have sufferings will produce proven character then to hope in the realization of God's love for us. He is growing me in ways that I can't express in words but it is for the better.

My meeting on my first month here was yesterday. It was good. One of the words they used was "overkill." Okay, if you know me that is true. I tend to over do it. Okay, Okay, a lot! I had memorized the first book. Well, it did help that I knew 60-80 percent of the vocabulary already. They said that I am doing well making new friends and using my Portuguese to speak to them. Overall, I am doing well. I just need to relax some! God is helping me to relax! Praise Him!

Tchau,
Nova

Church and My Saturday Walk

Hi everyone,
I hope you are well. God has been so good to me. I was watching a children's television program and I actually understood a little bit of it. I went to the park yesterday and I studied Portuguese. While I was at the park, I met a lady there and spoke to her in Portuguese for about an hour. By the way, she doesn't speak any English. She is a new grandmother of an eight month old little boy. He is adorable. I found out that she is a psychologist and she loves her job very much. She also enjoys watching movies.


Today, I went to church and saw many of my new friends. The pastor spoke about the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. He emphasized peace. It is good to be reminded of God's peace and constant comfort. Please pray for a lady at church whose shoulder is injured. She is in a lot of pain. I thank God for his continued blessing here. I also had a blood sugar issue on Friday and a lady from the church helped me. I can't express how friendly the people are here and how willing they are to help an American. They are patient with me as well when I can't get the right words out. May God bless the people of Brazil.

Finally, this is how the Lord spoke to me today. Colossians 1: 10-14 states: "so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects bearing fruit in every good work increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthen with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Lord, I must walk worthy of You. I am continually growing in You and You give me strength and patience to learn a new language. I joyfully give You thanks for this opportunity to learn a new language and to be in a new culture. It is all for You because You are One who took my place on that cross! I give it all to YOU! Amen!

New Pictures of My Family

Hi everyone,
I hope you are well. I put some new pictures on my blog of my family. Everyone has been asking me to put more pictures on my blog so I put some on here. I hope you enjoy them. Language school is going well. I am learning so much! Please continue to pray for my language ability and my ability to understand Portuguese.

Obrigada,
Nova

Pictures of My Neighborhood and the Park

This is my favorite house in the neighborhood.


This is where the kids play and I walk at this park every day.

This is my street.

I love the palm trees. They are everywhere!