i thank You God for most this amazing

day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,

and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth

day of life and of love and wings:and of the gay

great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing

breathing any-lifted from the no

of all nothing-human merely being

doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and

now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

-e. e. cummings

Traditionally Brazilians celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. Families start with a big dinner with elaborate dessert and then exchange presents, staying up late into the night singing and drinking wine. Christmas day is very relaxed; family members go about cleaning house or spending time with friends.

The Santos prefer to do a little bit of both traditions.
I arrived home on Christmas Eve at about fifteen 'til midnight. Eudoxio, Lucia and Andre were enjoying a delcious evening meal. (I was stuffed from having just returned from an extravegant Brazilian Christmas Eve worship and celebration with my boyfriend's family.) I sat with them until it struck midnight and we all exchanged hugs practically singing, "Feliz Natal!" I retired to my room thinking the night was over for us (we were having family over for lunch and presents the following day). About five minutes later Lucia called my name rather urgently. I ran out to see what the fuss was about, encountering the three of them outside in the courtyard opening a bottle of champaign. We sipped our tall glasses under the bright, full moon.

The song that we taught at Bread of Life this Christmas:

Alguem sabe o que e o Natal?
Sera brinquedoes e presentes finos
embrulhados e arrumados pra
meninas e meninos?
Sera castanhas e rabanadas ou
arvores com luzes a piscar?

Nao e isto que e o Natal.
Tenho certeza que e muito mais.

Cristo nasceu neste dia feliz,
E e isso que e Natal.
Cristo nasceu neste dia feliz,
Sim, isto que e o Natal!

Does anyone know what Christmas is?
Is it games and fancy wrapped presents
ready for girls and boys?
Is it chestnuts and sweets or
trees that twinkle with lights?

This is not what Christmas is.
I am sure that it is much more.

Christ was born on this happy day,
This is what Christmas is.
Christ was born on this happy day,
Yes, this is what Christmas is!

Eudoxio and Lucia have recently been working very hard at finding individuals and families to sponsor the doors and windows needed to continue finishing the manse for Vila Rosalina Presbyterian Church. Many people from the hospital have agreed to help. This morning, in church, Eudoxio announed that there were four remaining sponsors needed. There was a pause of only about two seconds before one hand shot up ethusiastically. Before the hand's name was written down there were three others waiting to be noticed. The whole congregation broke out into clapping and cheering. It was beautiful to see them so happy about taking part in their own project.

I have sponsored one door or window in honor of Central Presyberian Church, my home congregation and volunteer sponsor in Anderson, South Carolina, as a symbol of both my gratitude and our relationship with the Presbyterian church in Brazil. With your help I have been able to live in Brazil and follow my call.

Yesterday Neely and I celebrated 100 years of living - she turned 77 and I 23.
Thanks be to God for our breathing days.
Prayers be to God for our days to come.

We celebrated with pineapple cake and family.

Birthdays are very special in Brazil, filled with many "God bess you"s and looks straight into your eyes as if you had just established world peace. It is a true honoring of a life no matter the age.

I spent the last week with the McKinnons.

We
told jokes
built ships
played games
swam
danced
made pie
listened to music
ate pizza
opened presents
bought pillows
watched movies
talked about God
giggled
skyped
and
hugged

It was a magical week. I am recharged.

One of my English students is Dr. Eduardo Leao. Turns out he is the great-grandson of a Mrs. Leao who was good buddies and a right-hand woman with my great-grandfathter.

Today I was invited to his family's farm. I was treated like a queen as we roamed the mango groves, walked through the bamboo forest, played in a beautiful, cascading waterfall, ate acerolas (a small, red Brazilain fruit) straight from the tree and dinned in high fashion. I met Eduardo's mother and grandfather, Joan Leao, a childhood friend of my grandfather.

The sun shown through the spiky palm leaves at just the perfect angle all day. There was a lot of laughter and a strong feeling of connection and appreciation.