Back in the US

Katie, Gabe and I had the most amazing vacation over the past two weeks. And I think my wife deserves the title of Super Woman for what she had to endure on her way down to Brazil.

Picture this... You and your 2 year old son (who weighs a hefty 35 lbs.) take three flights (one of them being about 8 hours long) to a foreign country, where you are only somwhat familiar with the language. Not only that, but your son has to sit on your lap for the entire duration of each flight! You cannot stretch out, get up, or even make your bladder gladder.

As if that were not enough, you also have to take a stroller, car seat, 2 suitcases, a diaper bag, and a backpack.

Katie, I am so amazed that you did all of that so we could be together. What an amzing expression of your love for me and for our family. I love you.

A Real(ly) Memorial Weekend


“Selling Memory Insurance”, read a sign outside a photo-developing store. I have always been so amused at that sign; how clever it is and how it gets to your heart. It brought a smile to my face every time I drove by it.

I have several precious memories in my life ranging from my childhood in Brazil to my current stage in life as a husband and father. Memories like having to prod my wife to respond to my request of marriage (she hugged me and cried but failed to say yes at first) and that of holding my son after he was born.

Well, this weekend will go into my memory bank for a long time. I say this not only due to unexpected challenges that arose prior to our mission trip, but mainly because of something my almost two year old son said to me.

Last night, (Sunday May 28) as I put my son in bed, I held him and told him (in Portuguese) that I would be leaving for about 10 days and that the next time I got to put him in bed we would be in Brazil. Little did I know that he understood what I was telling him. Just a few hours before leaving for the airport, in the midst of the chaos that took over my office, Gabe said his first sentence. With his sweet eyes fixed on his father he expressed the desire of his heart.

“Don’t go” he said to me. I looked across the hall where one of our youth volunteers mouthed back to me what Gabe had said. We were both amazed.

I can't help but think of the amazement in the eyes of Jesus' disciples when they heard them say the He would never leave them. Jesus was telling them that they would never have to ask Jesus no to go, because he promised not to.

If first impressions (and first sentences) really last forever, I will never forget the words of my son. And Gabe, daddy will be with you soon in Brazil.