Welcome to Brazil

Welcome to Brazil! It is so strange to see this flag flying on flagpoles. I never realized how many little things I take for granted in America...such as seeing the stars and strips flying and knowing what they stand for and feeling patriotic. Anyway, for now we will get used to this one! Maybe someday I will study up on the Brazil flag and learn what it stands for.

Our trip to Brazil went really well. This was the first time the boys can remember flying. We tried to explain things as we went. Josiah was very nervous. He checked his seatbelt about five times before we took off from Knoxville to make sure it was buckled securely. Then I tried to explain to him that his ears might feel tight as we took off and he could swallow to make that go away, so as soon as the plane started moving he started gulping. We remedied that with some chewing gum. They all did well. Judson was wiggly on the first flight to DC, but on the second flight there was an extra seat (praise the Lord) in our row so we put him in the carseat and he went to sleep before we even took off!

Here is Josiah ready for take-off

Judson did much better in his "own" space

Here we are at our layover with all our carry-ons

The trip from the airport to Jeremy's parents' house took about an hour. It's hard even to capture in a picture what it is like. You really need to see it, and hear all the noise, and smell the smells, and feel the heat and humidity to really get it. Because it is warm here the windows on cars and houses are kept open most of the time. This means you smell all the exhaust and city smells, and you also smell what the neighbors are cooking for dinner! You also hear all the cars and motorcycles (of which there are many!). You hear the dogs barking and the neighbors talking or playing music. We have taken a few videos, so many we can share some experiences that way. Traffic is crazy. If the road is wide you just make as many lanes as will fit across, and if someone if front of you is going too slow, you just go around them whether there is really room to pass or not! And then there are the motorcycles who just go wherever they want and whenever they want. Talk about a stressful commute! Sometimes I think it would be better for me to sit in the back of the van and close my eyes!

Here are a few pictures taken on the way from the airport.

This is the Tylers' house. There are not this many trees in most areas, but it is nice because it makes the house cooler!

This is our mode of transportation until we get a car of our own.

At the end of the day we were all worn out. Josiah and Jonathan both feel asleep while playing, and Judson couldn't make it through supper! Poor fellow...I felt the same way!

It's an adventure! Thanks again for the prayers. We need them! Please keep praying for us during this adjustment period. I'll keep you posted!