Watching someone work definitely puts the pressure on!

Have you ever been just minding your own business doing your job, when all of a sudden you realize you have someone watching you? But then you realize that they're not just admiring your handywork... they are wanting you to hurry! This happened today to some poor pool guy across the street from where we are staying. We promised the kids that we would take them swimming today so when we got there the lady in the office said we could swim after the man finished cleaning the pool. She said, "it would be about an hour." We decided to wait even though it was only a few blocks from where we were staying. We decided this because we had just successfully crossed the street without anyone getting run over. If you've ever seen how people drive in Brazil you know what I mean. So we decided to sit and wait for the man to finish his job. Rather than sitting with Mom and Dad, the kids decided to stand at the gate and watch this man work. Well them watching him worked because he finished in about 15 minutes!

We got to the pool around 9:00am and we left at 12:00 for lunch. We then returned around 1:00 and stayed until 5:00pm! It was awesome. The kids had a great time and everyone kept thier clothes on all day(it's a miracle!). We assumed before we came to Brazil that the kids might not know how to swim so we came prepared. We brought little arm floats and inflatable rings from Atlanta. FYI... if you pay $1 at the dollar tree for a device that you are believing will keep you above water... there is a good chance it won't... nuff said. Anyway, the kids are doing great. We are seeing huge changes in thier attitudes. Sometimes we take it for granted how blessed we are to have raised our children from birth. These kids have been so abused and emotionally scarred because of thier birth parents so now we are having to step in and bring healing and closure to all of thier past hurts. It's difficult because you want to just shower them with love and affection but we also have to discilpline them and it's hard. It's funny though... the other morning I was in the bathroom, with my 4th diahreah attack of the day, reading my Bible and I asked the Lord to please speak to me... I usually don't do this but flipped open the Word and I was in proverbs. So, I just put my eyes down on the page and they landed (kind of like a roulette wheel, LOL) on the scripture where it talks about the rod of correction driving destruction far from a child and that it won't kill them even though it isn't pleasant. So, I started beating my kids in the name of the Lord! Come on! I'ts a joke! Seriously though... we've had to spank thier little butts several times and it's hard. They haven't had any loving disciple that we know of. It's so cool though, after we discipline them, we love on them and kiss them. I think it is blowing thier minds to see the two things working hand in hand (love and discipline). But just like the Word says, " whom the Lord loves he chastizes" so as parents we have to. Well that's all for today! We love you guys! We miss all our family and friends. Please continue to pray for us.

P.S. "Get out there and start spankin those youngins!" just kidding

Love Ya,

All wet in Brazil