CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY
& A TWO-DAY ROAD TRIP
A very kind man named Ricardo Leite (a local Stk. Pres.) and his wife,
invited us to join their family for lunch on Christmas Eve.
We went to the mall early that day to buy a gift for our hostess.
Their home is beautiful, the meal was divine, tons of food.
The family was completely charming.
The family was completely charming.
Ricardo speaks excellent English, also his teenage daughter.
The wife and young boy and their live-in maid and grandma
were also there. They spoke no English.
were also there. They spoke no English.
We didn't get around to photos until after lunch.
The wife had to take the children to visit with other family.
The sister missionaries (both Brazilian) came
for dessert and this is us with them.
During dinner we had this unexpected conversation about government in America~
Local and national, because Ricardo wants to "learn".
Not what I think of as a "normal" topic for Christmas dinner :)
Ricardo is a lawyer here in São Paulo. He does a lot of the Church legal work with his firm.
Craig and his office can only "supervise"
because they are not licensed to practice law in Brazil.
During our visit it was necessary for Craig and Ricardo to make an emergency,
law related, conference call to expedite some issue.
After the call, Ricardo entertained the Sisters and us with his American Christmas songs.
While we were visiting, Ricardo told us some amazing stories about the saints in Brazil.
One that I thought was so unusual.
There were some members that wanted to learn how to play the hymns for sacrament meetings. There was a teacher willing to provide piano lessons on Sundays at the church.
These are poor families and
they did not have access to a piano during the week to practice.
The teacher had an idea to make a keyboard from a long piece of paper to put on a table, for the students to practice as well as they could remember.
In this way, they slowly but effectively,
were able to learn the skills required to accompany the saints in various meetings.
I can't imagine that kind of motivation and dedication.
We were so grateful to be able to spend time with a real family on this special day.
Ricardo drove us home, after we had declined the invitation
to continue and stay for their extended family dinner !
We were glad to come home early, watch a movie and retire early :)
CHRISTMAS MORNING
Santa brought Randy a new Brazil bucket hat to protect his face from this blazing sun.
Also a souvenir soccer scarf.
Craig's gift was 2 weeks off of his house chores :)
He loved it~
and my gift -
a Brazilian wedding band.
Most women here do not wear diamonds.
His office assistant, Raquel helped him find it.
Then we left for the day with two of our new friends.
We all wanted to get away for a diversion to help avoid homesickness.
Robert and Susan Hale are from Midvale,
Craig has known Robert for awhile since
he served on the Midvale City counsel.
They are both great fun to be with.
Our first stop was Guarujá Beach.
It was a beautiful, mild day. We decided beforehand to not "swim".
It is an option for seniors to wear swimsuits~
(for therapeutic reasons of course)
You can buy whatever you need and never leave your chair.
on Christmas Day.
The view from our short ferry ride.
We found a patio restaurant that was open
and continued to reflect how strange it all seemed.
Craig was severely missing his kitchen time with prime rib.
We drove back to be home for the evening
and to witness a very special event that was about to
take place in Bastrop, Texas
arranged to bless their baby Savannah at his parent's home.
We dialed/clicked in from my laptop and watched and listened to her dad
give her a wonderful priesthood blessing.
God bless Apple :)
Shelly's mother-in-law made the delicately, beautiful blessing dress,
and this quilt
and her Christmas stocking!
Judy is indescribably talented~
The next day we drove north for a few hours to a little town called
Campos do Jordão
Brazil's "Little Switzerland"
Almost all of the architecture is Swiss.
We felt like we were in Midway for Swiss days!
This is the bed and breakfast where we stayed.
and decorated in the extreme!
Barely a spot not covered with something....
Their breakfast spread was extraordinary.
Here's some sightseeing and shopping~
and lovely dining of course
Randy's favorite - Franco American?
They have an interesting elephant exhibit~
with these various "attractions"
A little chair lift ride
for a great view of the town
These trees were very unique. A funky kind of pine tree called Paraná Pine. They bear delicious, enormous "pine nuts" in the winter. We saw many of them around town.
They only grow at high altitudes.
so of course we had to do it!
I think they are hydrangeas?
like the size of a volleyball
NEW YEAR'S EVE
In Brazil they celebrate with huge firework displays!
This is an image from São Paulo on Avenida Paulista.
This is the main downtown street. They build a bridge/stage and block the traffic
and a million people come to wait and watch entertainment for hours in the heat.
We invited other seniors over for food and games.
We love playing 5 Crowns with whoever is willing :)
We had 2 tables going with regular "rotations" so we could visit/play with different couples.
We could see the fireworks in the distance from our window and also on TV.
It was seriously, a blast.
New Years Day was full of football, video calls to my brothers, and relaxing with a dvd.
So - welcome 2015!
Now it is January - our daughter-in-law mailed a package Dec. 2
and we happily received it after 6 weeks.
The kids were sweet to make decorations for our apartment
so they are now hanging to remind us that it is cold in Utah
and these snowflakes make our room temperature at least 10 degrees cooler!
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