Our Newest News

December 30, 2005

Dear Petitioner:


The State Department’s National Visa Center has recently received an approved I-129 petition filed on behalf of your fiancé. This letter is to let you know that within a week the petition will be forwarded to the appropriate visa-issuing post where you visa interview will take place:
Our records show that you filed the I-129 petition for:

The case will be processed at:
Post: RIO DE JANEIRO
CONSULADO GERAL DOS ETADOS UNIDOS, SECAO
CONSULAR
AV PRESIDENTE WILSON, 147 CASTELO
RIO DE JANEIRO, 20030-020
BRAZIL

Your fiancé will soon receive a packet with instructions from the consular section at this post on how to apply for the K1 visa at that post and what documents will be required.

The Luggage Is Waiting

As Malas esperam...

Well it just feels weird buying luggage for the "trip" since I've never had a chance to travel abroad before. Actually, I have only traveled out of my State three times: once to Sao Paulo to meet some friends and twice to Rio... definitely NOT TO MEET FRIENDS if you know what I mean...
So the only things holding me back are for God to help me with the visa interview, buying the airfare and then leaving my family behind (i hope it is not as dramatic as I am thinking it sounds) to meet Paige... ;)


Okay,

see y'all later,

ENZO...

Update

We received a letter today that said our case has officially been sent to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It went on to say that the consulates in Rio will be contacting Enzo in about a week to set up an interview! OBA! Things are moving reallllly fast. A lot faster than we thought.

Feliz Ano Novo!

Here are some pics from the last night of 2005!

For those of you who don't know the American New Year's tradition is a kiss at midnight. Looks like these girls (and Boojie) took advantage of that tradition!!!
"Beija, Beija, tah calor..."

Heather "Chique" Mama

Rachel "Gatinha"Lee

Kristy "Doidinha" Simpson

and... Paige "Looks like everyone took
advantage of the tradition but me" Hall

And this picture is because we just look good...

At The Movies

Hey everybody,

I was thinking the other day how people like Paige and I must be "entertainment" for the immmigration officers... They probably get a kick at how people like us yearn and beg to be together.So this kinda inspired me to do this pic. It may also illustrate something that will soon not be true anymore (hopefully, because I have no idea when EXACTLY this can happen): American consulates only seeing me and Paige together on video and pictures. This is to entertain y'all for now... but with the help of God and our families and friends we'll soon be on the same side of the movie theater... I just hope the usher would show the way faster ;)

The End

Need More Room

Last night my mother, Edson (my brother, why do we call our mothers "mother" or "mom"? Anywho...) and I went to Mara and Mario's house (they are the neighbors from Sao Paulo that we love) for a little Xmas feast (almost a midnight feast). Gee, the food was so good! Chicken stuffed with cheese (not sure whether it was cheese or not, but it tasted great, oh and I am positive it was chicken ;)... Fanta!!! A lot of Fanta for me!! Haunch (roast beef) also stuffed with something I didn't know what it was either but it tasted good too, french fries and rice! We had a great time there, we laughed and talked a whole lot besides celebrating Xmas ;)

And after all that delicious banquet (Mara cooks!) I kinda felt bad and a thought crossed my mind: "Damn! Why are our stomaches so dang small!!!" : (

In Honor of Jesus...since His birthday is tomorrow

Here is U2's song-"All Because of You" I don't know who they intended this song to be about, but I know who I sing it for. If you have the time, read the lyrics...muito bom!

All Because of You
I was born a child of grace
Nothing else about the place
Everything was ugly but your beautiful face
And it left me no illusions
I saw you in the curve of the moon
In the shadow cast across my room
You heard me in my tune
When I just heard confusion

All because of you
All because of you
All because of you
I am, I am

I like the sound of my own voice
I didn't give anyone else a choice
An intellectual tortoise
Racing with your bullet train
Some people get squashed crossing the tracks
Some people got high rises on their backs
I'm not broke but you can see the cracks
You can make me perfect again

All because of you
All because of you
All because of you
I am, I am

I'm alive
I'm being born
I just arrived
I'm at the door
Of the place I started from
And I want back inside

All because of you
All because of you
All because of you
I am

Inspired by The smile

"Our hearts will soon beat as one. Tis as certain as the flowers that, inspired by the love of two, cast their fragrance, wear the prettiest colors on their petals dancing to the wind as though asking to be made by His Lovin' hands into an image: the image of the ONE girl..."

Author: unknown

Away From Home?

"Travelling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essenial things - air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky - all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it."

Cesare Pavese (quoted in Ian McEwan's "The Comfort of Strangers")


I hope it is not "what I think of it"...

ENZO...

"One Step Closer To Knowing, To Knowing, To Knowing..."

Our visa is being sent to the National Visa Center now. The NVC processes the visas in 2-4 weeks after receiving the petion from the INS. The NVC creates a case record with our petition information. Then, the NVC will send our information to the US embassy or consulate where Enzo will be interviewed for his visa. Before going into this interview, Enzo will need to have medical exams. We are hoping he can be here either late January or February.

Thank God!

We received this email this morning!

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status:

This case has been approved. On December 13, 2005, an approval notice was mailed. If 14 days have passed and you have not received this notice, you may wish to verify or update your address. To update your address, please call the National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision or advice from USCIS within the projected processing time frame*, please contact the National Customer Service Center.

National Customer Service Center (800) 375-5283.

*The projected processing time frame can be found on the receipt notice that you received from the USCIS.
*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.


Sincerely,


The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

In a difficult world...

...thank you Jesus for my job

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it."
Helen Keller, US blind & deaf educator (1880 - 1968)

Tis' the Season

Today I was so frustrated with life that I thought life was a whole lot easier before I was a Christian. This pic reminds me that no matter how true that statement is (which I still believe is true, at least for me), that eternally I can never repay this humble child for what He did for me.
I think we need to keep Christmas trees up year round. I am such a scrooge. Maybe this tree will remind me of what Christmas is really about. When I was a kid I would wake up to Santa Claus and all the gifts he had for me. I am so glad for those memories. It reminds me of what our heavenly home will be like. Maybe we will wake up and be overjoyed at all the amazing things under God's tree.

Who said Brunnettes don't have as much fun?

This pic is of my "brown hair", me, and my cousin who is about to be shipped off overseas b/c of the Navy.




Here is my "red" hair (most things in life are relative, why can't my hair be too?), me, my dad, and my cousin again.

Thankful Thanks

Credit for the pic goes to: http://archives.thedaily.washington.edu/1999/112399/N7.kr.pilgrim.ill..jpg



Despite all my complaining, I really have so much to be thankful for. So here is my list:
• That someone else is making Thanksgiving dinner and all I'm expected to do is eat.
• I am thankful that I have off this week☺
• I hate what the government has been doing to me and Enzo but I am thankful for their protection.
• I am thankful for my family who has put up with since birth.
• I am thankful for the friends who have in someway become a family to me.
• I am thankful for my little Brusier whom everyone thought I was helping him out by rescuing him, but really it was the
other way around.
• I am thankful for my latin stud who has waited patiently to be with me.
• Even though I don’t enjoying waking up at 5:30 every morning, I am thankful I have a job to go to.
• I am thankful for my home. It’s exactly what I needed.
• I am thankful for my health.
• I am thankful that Jesus came to the earth as a humble child in a manger. What a bizarre way God chose to save the
world???
• I am thankful, thankful, thankful….

Worlds Apart

There's two things you can tell about me by my post...(1.) I am out of school this week and (2.)I have just recently gotten internet connection. Both of these things are amazing! I guess that is why I am post happy:)

With the holidays approaching, it can either be one of the happiest or one of the saddest times in someone's life. The other day me and my new roomie watched a terrible movie. It's called "What Dreams May Come" with Robin Williams. It was late when the movie finished but as I was going to bed I was thinking about about how in it Robin William's character died and he longed to be with his wife who was still alive. He felt like this even though he was in his "heaven." While he longed for her, she too longed to be reunited with her husband so much that she committed suicide. Instead of going to heaven, she went to the suicide's "hell". Robin Williams could not be with her since she was there. He gathered up his courage and went to hell to pull her out.

I tell you about this movie not because I want you to go out and rent it. Like I said, it was terrible. It just showed me that in some way or another, everyone will experience what Enzo and I have experienced (if they haven't yet). If you ever love someone and they die (which will happen whether it's you die or your spouse) you too will long to be with them. If you never find someone to love, you too will still long to be complete. Things like this happen in life to show we are human. We can't run from it so we need to embrace it and welcome God's trials as things that will only bring us closer to him. This may sound mean, but I will say it anyways...It is so comforting to know Enzo and I are not the only one's who will experience longing. You too are part of this mysterious event called life.

Here are the lyrics of a song that shows how one may long to be with someone else. It's a new song by James Blunt. Just ignore the bad words;) It's a really good song. If you can dowload it, I highly recommend it. By the way, I am a dark brunette now! I will post a picture sometime. Youw won't even recognize me!

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I'm sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won't lose no sleep on that,
'Cause I've got a plan.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
Fucking high,
And I don't think that I'll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.
You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it's time to face the truth,
I will never be with you.

With or Without You

ok guys.. The U2 concert really was the best concert I have ever been to. Not only was Bono on fire, the technicalities of the show were incredible. I really wish I could be Bono. There is something refreshing about his rawness. I don't know how many times I have said something or was about to say something, I think "is this theologically correct?" I think I probably spend more time thinking about that than contemplating on God's faithfulness. Speaking of... Here is something I have been wondering about and you might be the one to help with your input... Bono wore a headband with the star of David in the middle, the cross on one side, and a Muslim symbol on the other. Before singing "Bloody Sunday" he went on how were are all sons of Abraham and was talking about his headband. At first I think the sound of that might offend Christians but then today I was recollecting about my days in college. As most you know West Ga ain't known for it's religious classes...But I took a few and believe it or not I actually remembered a few things or so I think... We talked about how the Muslim religion began like Judaism, however someone had two sons and one son went towards the Jews and the other towards the Muslims. I don't think the bible exactly came straight out and said this one will pave the way for Christians and this one for Muslims but you get the picture. Am I on the right path or am I completely off???? And if I am on the right path, who was it that had the sons and what were the sons names? Where is it in the bible?

Enzo would have died during the concert..Bono started singing in Italian. It was a song by Enzo's favorite Italian artist too. Bono sounded like an Opera singer. It was beautiful.

Other exciting news!!!! Heather Holland has officially moved in with me! YAY! She will be here till February. I am really enjoying having her here. I have this whole week off because of Thanksgiving so we are just having fun! Last night we went to ATL for the new Atlantic Station (which if you have not been you gotta go. It's like a Seaside in the big city). There is the new Georgia Aquarium which from what I have heard it is the biggest in the world. Enzo is making me wait till he gets here so my first time can be with him:( Hopefully I can wait, but it sure sounds exciting!

Well before I end I have a really funny but scary story to tell you. Yesterday while we (Kristy Simpson, Heather Holland, and me) were in Atlantic station we decided to check out this cool sport grill near the movie theater. When you walk into this place the last thing you feel in unsafe. To the right is a room with security cameras and there are police everywhere, not to mention it was a very nice appearing restaurant. So we sit down, order our food and begin conversation. All the sudden everyone in the entire place begins to evacuate. Heather and I being nosy get up and run to ask someone what was going on. I mean we thought somebody famous was there or something fun like that was going on. Well, that wasn't exactly what happened. Some man pulled out a gun and was threatening people! Kristy, Heather, and I bolted out the door! I really don't think my heart has pounded like it did right then.
Crazy eh?

The Trip

That trip was a trip...
I really enjoyed being around all those guys from PE, they really are awesome! we had lots of fun and talked about all kinds of stuff including God.
Wait, you might be asking what trip I might be talking about... well Anselmo invited Jon, Thiaguinho and I to go back to a small (I mean tiny ity-bitty) town in the country side called Sem Peixe (No Fish) where some of his realatives live. The same town where,right after the 2003 CCP went back to the States, we had our first "official" discipleship group rally. This time he also invited 4 other guys: Pinta, Andre, Wesley and .

Mmmmm, I wish I was there at the U2 concert too.. but you know Paige I love you and I can see thru your eyes, and I can feel thru "you too" so It will be as if I was there too... hehehe.. okay that was cheesy... take pictures of the concert and tape it too (take a hiden camera)hehehe

"A ausência diminui as pequenas paixões e aumenta as grandes, da mesma forma como o vento apaga as velas e aumenta as fogueiras." La Rochefoucault

The trip was nice but it made me miss Paigie so much... specially with that horrible phone service...

Distance makes the heart grow fonder

Boy do long distant relationships stink. For about a week now the phone cards we normally use aren't working. When they do connect (which is rare) the connection is terrible. We have never had trouble for the past 2 years using them but I think I am about to pull out all my hair!
Anywho, very exciting news... I am getting a roomate on Wednesday. She will only be living with me for about 3 months but it will really will be nice having someone to talk to besides my furry buddy Bruiser.
Countdown...7 days till the U2 concert! I sure wish Enzo could go. It should be him going instead of me:(

Fanta: Il Latte Dell'Arancia

Io: Il Vitello

O Direito De Ir E (Ou)Vir. The Right Thing To Hear.

Queria ter o direito de ouvir direito pelo ouvido direito.
"O quê? Por favor aqui(,) direito!"
I wanna have the right to hear right in the right ear.
"What? Please say it(,) right here!"

I'm gonna see (hear) a doctor soon.

Eu vou ver (ouvir) um médico logo.

Can't hear it right.
Can't hear it, right.
Can't hear it, right?
Can't hear it, right!
Can't hear it: right.
Can't hear it? Right...
Can't hear it. Write...

Boxes

I don't want this to turn into a religous revolt either...but can you believe that since I have been away from a church God has not left me but given me love through unexpected ways and people. I hate to say this and I don't know why but people who don't love Christ have been helping me so much lately. They have never heard of loving people because they are suppose to, they just do. I am not saying I should not go back to church because I definately need that too. I am just amazed at how God uses the least likely people in my life. They are people with no training and definately aren't doing it to get something out of a poor girl like me. Maybe I just have too high expectations of people who are believers. So I say all this not to offend anyone, but to encourage all of us to quit expecting each other to be something we aren't and to love people for who they are. Their ideas, their theology, their political preferences might sound ridiculous to you but who knows...as Steve Brown says (and this is not a direct quote!), "We are going to be surprised at whose in heaven, even a democrat might be up there!" I am laughing as I write that, because it is so true. We need to quit putting things in so many daggum boxes. Lay aside your formula because honestly I bet God laughs at how we think things ought to be. Quit fighting for oursleves to be right and instead simply speak truth. The rest will follow. That's a big thing I am learning with this whole visa situation. Put aside my anger and focus on the task at hand. Can you believe that even some of these immigration officers will be in heaven! Seriously! God loves them too! Sorry, I just had a Steve Brown moment (for those of you who don't know who Steve Brown is, you should read some of his books).

OK ok ok...I think I have sparked enough people for tonight. Between me and Enzo, it will be amazing if we have any friends left after reading our blogs. I can't say that I love each and everyone of you who are reading our blog because well I have no idea who is reading this. However, you know if I love you. I don't need to say it. Also... we welcome your comments!

Life in the burbs

It's kinda weird having a home for you and your soon to be husband and he hasn't even see it...

1+12(-1)=13(12)?

Matthew 10: 14-15:
"You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.15For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts"

Sometimes it's just weird how people believe what they believe is what is supposed to be believed... I mean, I'm not saying everything I believe is right, but sometimes I just feel like people don't accept others thinking differently from what THEY believe...
Isn't there ANY chance, for instance, that this whole Discipleship thing could be just some distorted view of what God really meant...I mean Jesus chose 12 people (disciples) to walk along with him (I mean, to run along...), okay, 12 to be disciples (in the renowned view of discipleship)... but does that leave out the overwhelming crowds that weren't 'chosen' to be DISCIPLES? Can they be labeled non-Christians, pagans or whatsoever, even though Christ was feeding 'em?

Matthew 15:38:
"The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children."

I didn't want to turn this blog into some kind of religiously revolted journal for my stream of thoughts... but I think this is a good help for my bad memory. And writing feels soooo good, man!

???

Queria poder dizer o óbvio
de modo que tudo se distorce.
Mas para mim não há tarefa mais dura,
...por mais que me esforce.
Como é difícil fazer literatura!
(É óbvio).