Rollerblades

Sahara and I got rollerblades! While Umma was here she bought us a pair for our birthdays and now we're skating all over the place! Of course I had to have Sahara teach me first.....especially since I almost wiped out in the store trying them on. Yeah, Hannah had a good laugh at that. But, we're getting better every day and enjoying the exercise!

There is a big park near our house so we have plenty of space to skate. All in all, a fun way to spend time with Sahara! Oh, and please, no comments about the helmet. Hannah made me buy one because she's convinced I'm going to bust my melon--frankly, I prefer the wind blowing through my hair and the fleeting thought that I can still do dangerous things.....but alas, I'll wear the helmet to ensure the prolonged life of Father bear.

Language learning never stops!

Just a quick update. I'm finished with the university of Lisbon as of today (whew!) and I passed the test for the semester. Now we're gearing up for another big test on the 26th (will this ever end?) so we can be "out" of full time language school.

It's been quite a ride. I can honestly say that I've really enjoyed language learning, but it's also been one of the hardest things I've ever done. However, being done with full time language learning doesn't mean we're done learning the language. In fact, we've only just begun! We have a long road ahead of us as we constantly try to hone our skills, learn more, and practice in community--in short, to communicate more and more effectively.

So, continue to pray for our upcoming test and that we'll have a great transition from daily language school to a more full time work status in our community.

Ate ja!

GPS failure

On the way to our big rafting trip several of my friends used their GPS systems to navigate to the extremely small town where we would meet the guides. Although the GPS systems today represent major technological advancements, we kept getting lost. We made many wrong turns based on the information from the GPS and kept having to backtrack.

We got so lost one time that we had to stop and ask a local person for directions. This old man, who probably has never seen a GPS system, quickly explained the intricate system of roads and got us "untangled" and towards the right town. Instantly, we were back on track towards the right town and meeting up with our guides. As we were winding through the hills of Portugal towards the rafting adventure, I was struck by the uniqueness of this analogy when compared to the Christian life.

Often times we are tempted to use the latest "how to" book or listen to the newest fads or speakers. We're often enamored by the packaging or wooed by the performance of a church of pastor. Yet, many times these "gadgets" lead us further away from our destination. It's amazing that when we consult the "local person" (in my mind this is the Holy Spirit) we instantly find clarity when it comes to being directionally pointed towards the goal. It reminds me that the Holy Spirit is truly our best guide on this pilgrimage. He truly knows the land. He truly wants us on the right path. Although sometimes the fancy gadgets can help, often times it leads us towards more confusion and puts us further away from where we want to be. This experience made me think: When I look up and don't know where I am, do I first consult with the Holy Spirit for directions? Or do I consult everyone and everything BUT the Holy Spirit. I am thankful for this reminder to wholly lean on Him who is wholly able to direct and guide my life.

Rafting

Quick update: I just got back from two days in the north of Portugal for a rafting trip with some of the folks from Sete Rios Baptist church. We had a great time driving up and then rafting all day Friday. It was fun to see another part of the country (if you know geography in Portugal we were rafting close to Viseu).

Sadly, I didn't take a camera so I don't have any pictures. But, you can go to the company's website, Escola de Rafting Atlantico, to get an idea. The river was incredible--beautiful scenery and a mix of gentle sections and rough rapids. There was a section where we stopped and climbed up on top of a huge rock and then jumped off into the water. There was also a stream cascading off a rock into the river that we stopped at to get a drink.

Today my muscles are incredibly sore from the rafting and my mind is incredibly sore from speaking Portuguese non-stop on Thursday and Friday. Gooooood times!!!