Living Large on a Budget

We've been on a fixed income since moving back to the US. (that means having a predictable income) Having a budget make a huge difference. We are pleased at how our spending stretches. (we lack nothing) Here are some checkup questions for everyone when it comes to spending.

• Am I giving to the Lord first? Proverbs 3:9-10
• Am I following a spending plan?
• Am I becoming a disciplined spender?
• Am I spending less than I earn?
• Am I saving?
• Am I being generous?

Back to our Regularly Scheduled Program

Okay, We’ve been in the USA for about two weeks and three days. This week should be the first “normal” week for us. I have  a cell phone now too. Just have to learn how to use it.

Last Thursday in Brazil

We are on our countdown week in Brazil. This is our last Thursday. Yesterday we sold our car. Today the whole family is finished with all dentist visits. Still packing and giving things away.

October 11, 2012

We will arrive in Baton Rouge on October 11, 2012. Less than two weeks to go. Had another set of good-byes this week and a few more scheduled for next week. Still working on selling our 21-year-old car.

Announcement

I delayed announcing this until I could communicate with our churches here in Brazil. I have accepted the call to pastor Stevendale Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA. We will be moving in October.

Still living out of a suitcase

Though I made it back to Brazil a week ago, we still aren’t back in our home or driving our car. Riding very over crowded buses in contorted standing positions. It makes good family time, believe it or not.

Back in Brazil

After a nice August in the US, I am back in Brazil. Still haven’t made it back into my house (except to set a bunch of mouse traps). Hopefully we will get our car back today. That will make things easier.

Going to Baton Rouge Tomorrow

Tomorrow, August 2nd, I am flying out of Rio de Janeiro to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Looking forward to seeing family and friends. Will stay 4 weeks.

I Will Travel to Baton Rouge

I will travel to Baton Rouge, arriving August 3rd and staying until August 28th. Once I have confirmations, I will post my preaching schedule here.

When the Unexpected Happens

Sunday, I filled the pulpit for a 5th consecutive Sunday at Igreja Batista da Vitória. I fell ill while preaching and had to be carried out and taken to the hospital. The church turned to prayer and the result was a first time visitor coming to faith in Jesus! I am fine, now, after a day of bedrest.

Blogged on Bible Storying Journal

Blogged on the Bible Storying Journal. I led a quick Bible storying workshop in Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Here is the recap. http://smy2brazil.blogspot.com/2012/06/quick-bible-storying-workshop.html

Fun

I will be preaching the morning and evening services at Igreja Batista da Vitória again today. Performed a wedding over the weekend. Both on short notice, but I enjoy serving like this.

Preaching Today

This morning I brought message at Igreja Batista da Vitória and will do so again tonight.

Bible Storying Workshop went Well

I will post on the Bible Storying blog in detail, but the mini-workshop I led on using Bible telling or Bible storying in ministry was a very successful. Always encouraging to see people excited about sharing God’s word.

Starting Our Second Decade of Marriage

Seems like only a week or two ago, I was getting married. We are now in our second decade of marriage. To God be the glory.

Our Ten Year Anniversary

On Friday, June 8th, Loaise and I will celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary. Time flies. God has truly blessed us.

Just News

Some news items:

• Loaise seems to be fine now, though she is still tired and a little "off."
• I had to take her sister to the hospital for a dengue fever test, yesterday. Turns out she just has a very bad cold.
• I will be leading a Bible storying workshop at a large church in Juiz de Fora on Wednesday.
• I am working on 3 blogger based websites for churches and ministries. I will post the results of at least one of them here on this blog.
• My hearing is still improving daily.
• I have blogged on some other blogs recently, but didn't post here, so check out the sidebar.

Hospital Trip

Yesterday afternoon, my wife Loaise was not well and was taken to the hospital. We stayed until midnight. Pray for her to feel better.

I say Superhero

I just saved a corrupted excel file for my wife’s company. I had to search the internal .xml code for an error, and fix it. I can’t believe I was able to do that. Does that make me a nerd or a superhero?

Our Computer is Back

Our notebook is back from the shop. It took about a month to fix it seems. They lost the battery to it. Other than that it seems to be working great.