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).

Home Sweet Home

Ummm...isn't Enzo cute? Anyway, it seems like it has been a while since I have talked to many of you. I am not trying to ignore you; I promise! This past weekend I have moved into my nest and I really think the chaos will never end! As soon as I get some pictures to show you guys I will post them. I think i am really going to like it. I hope Enzo does too. In a previous blog he talked about all the anticipation he has; how he wonders what it will be like; will he have friends; and so on. I know I probably don't have them to the same degree he does but I just can't stop thinking that if he comes here and hates it, it is all my fault:( No pressure Paige! We really need prayer in this area. Right now I am in the process of trying to a good church in this area. So hopefully that will happen and then other things will fall into place as well.

Friends Remind Us Of How We Needa Trust God, Don't They?

Hello "everybody" who's been reading this blogger...

I NEED to mention the fact that I had a very good conversation with Jon McElam some days ago; it really helped me get out of this "depressed mood"... He reminded me of the simple, but always forgotten fact that everything is in God's hands. Even though this is truth we struggle to prove it wrong and have a hard time admiting we'll never be able to do it...

...and it is in situations like Paige and mine's that we can test this truth to its limits, man we know that huh Paige??? We've come a long way...

I've been feeling much more comfortable with the whole thing right now... I don't feel it like a burden or anything. Of course there are times I do, but thank God for the FRIENDS I have (who He gave me). These times are only brief moments of dispair and selfcenteredness in which I forget there's a God out there looking after me... and Paige...

Man, I really wanna thank all my friends, my faithful friends for everything...

Does this sound cheesy? I'm sorry... hehehe

Is this woman smart or what? What a lucky man I am... she has the biggest heart on earth!!! Too bad she also can have the worst mood ever! (just kidding) I am the winner on that one hahaha...
I really wanted to know when all this whole process thing would be finished, you know? I'm tired of anticipating feelings and emotions, feeling angry,frustratated, nervous and sad and...! I wanna just jump right into the moment when i'll have to deal with the real stuff (you know what I mean?) and it not just be imaginary scenarios... I'm tired of trying to imagine what it will be like when it is all over; I´m tired of feeling exhausted trying not to imagine stupid lil' things like... "what kinda questions will they ask me at the consulate?" or"am I gonna like that country?" or "will I have friends in the States?" or "what is it gonna be like having my family kilometers (yes, I measure things in Km) away?" ... I mean I am the kinda guy who anticipates feelings, whether they are good or bad...
well forget this...
Hey Paigie, I like the dogs, mmm good legs uh?
hehehe

Bye,
the Latin-Blooded Stud

by the way Paige, we need to start signing the post so they'll recognize who's posting here.. I know we have different styles and diferent languages and stuff but, you know... (maybe I will write in azuk)

Bruise Almighty!

One more thing... I was thinking today how I got my dog Bruiuser a little over a year ago. He was severly abused with terrible cigerette burns and weighed half of what he should have. So I started to look at some pictures and I was amazed at how much he has changed in just one year. Take a look at these pics...

For the past however many so years I have been told that in ministry one should focus primarily on choosing leaders so that those leaders in turn will choose other leaders. This creating a radical cycle that will impact the world with the Gospel. I must admit is a great idea. As many of you know I am a Special Ed. teacher. My days consist of sorting colors, doing simple addition problems, and viewing the world through the eyes of not only a child but one who is significantly below average intelligence. One student particularly, Lucy (this is not really her name but for privacy reasons I will call her this), has changed my life forever. At first glance she is not what I have been taught is a leader. She has down syndrome and probably will need help from people the rest of her life. But ironically, people love this child. I have never seen a child so loved before in my life. She walks into a room and people are drawn to her. I started thinking about how she could have more followers than I have ever dreamed of having. Why is this? It is as simple as the fact that she has been stripped of all but love. She cares for people and she loves you no matter what you look like, what kind of education you may have, how many possesions you own, etc... I went to a conference a while ago and it was talking about leaders and changing the world for Christ. The speakers were all CEOs and businessmen. There were no teachers, no cubicle employees, and certainly no Wal MArt or McDonald's workers. After meeting Lucy, she has changed my life forever on who I need to spend my time with. People like her are the leaders of our future.
Anywho, more updates on me and Enzo...still no news on the visa. I went to a party yesterday with my family it was really cute because there was one empty spot at the table and my mom said that seat is reserved for Enzo. She really loves him. She constantly brags about his ligustic abilities.About every 5 minutes during the party someone would come up to me and ask when he will arrive in the States. My dad was observing my reaction and then told me that I just need to make up a day to satisfy everyone. He said they will probably forget anyways. hehehe...So we came up with this...he will be arriving in the USA Feb 12th and we will be getting married on Apr.3rd. It has been great living at home because my parents have in a little way have been experiencing this with me. Dad's in shock at how many times a day I answer those questions.
On Saturday I am beginning to build my own nest. I will be living right off of HWY 575 in Avonlea Apartments (www.avonleaattownelake.com). Enzo and I have discussed how we really would love for our friends to come and stay with us. So think about!

mmmmm... poor Paige, she's the only one posting here... well I don't know whether I write my posts in Portuguese (Portuguese is a direct modern descendant of Latin, the vernacular Latin of the Roman soldier and colonist rather than the classical Latin of the cultured Roman citizen.) or English (The modern English language is a direct descendant of Old English, a tingue of Germanic tribes who invaded Britain in the 5th century. The language acquired its present day form in the 16th century.).
Bom, acho que vou escrever nos dois idiomas.
Estou bem apreensivo quanto ao processo todo. Sabe, eu também compartilho dos recentimentos da Paige quanto ao órgão da imigração Americano. A Paige já disse tudo o que eu diria sobre o assunto resumidamente. Não me sinto em um momento muito adequado para dizer nada, pois se eu o fizesse seria por ressentimento.
Prefiro simplesmente "tentar" confiar em Deus. Pedir a Ele forças para que eu e a Paige nos mantenhamos calmos durante esse processo tão angustiante. Tudo o que temos que fazer agora é esperar. E esperar pela recompensa que Deus nos dará.Peço que orem por nós, MUITO!
Ainda terei que enfrentar muitas mudanças ao mesmo tempo após esse processo todo (mudança de país, adaptação lá, nova vida, casamento, distância da família a qual sou muito apegado, etc). Por favor, orem por mim.
My family has been very nice about it all, they LOVE Paige, specially my mom ;)The only thing my mom doesn't like is the fact that I'm gonna move away from her, I mean from the COUNTRY! But she'll get used to it. And the airlines are gonna love it too ;)!!
Man, I love this woman!! Even though I don't know how to show that sometimes (sometimes = most of the times). The bad thing is that Paige, being "the girl", has to deal with all this "documentational" crap and carry this load right now because she is the American and the American governemnt wants their citizens to deal with all of this. Man, this girl loves me, uh? (I bet she is embarassed right now, hehehe)... Oh, but she'll have her reward: A Handsome Intelligent Funny Cool Charming Latin Lover... who is besides all that: HUMBLE... ;)
Hey I don't know why Paige loves capoeira so much, I never did. But I confess I lvoe martial arts (and do Tae Kwon-do) and it would be really nice to see her doing capoeira. Então eu estou colocando aqui umas fotos de TKD só para contrastar com a foto da capoeira da Paige.
Um abraço...
ENZO...

Capoeira huh?

Honestly, I am really not in the mood to do this right now. Who the heck knows why I am doing it? But here is a little update for you on the "Getting Enzo into the country" situation. If you have read my previous blogs you can see that we filed towards the end of September. Well, I was thinking yesterday that it was kinda weird that we haven't received a receipt number to keep track of our case online yet; so I called to find out what was going on. And believe it or not ( I know this is shocking) I got an automated voice service. After trying many different numbers that were directing me to many different places, I finally found where it said that we may not even receive our receipt number for four weeks after I have mailed it there. I should've known. I really wonder if these people who run these services realize they are dealing with peoples lives. I wonder what it feels like to hold a sheet of paper in your hand and have the power to change their life forever. They must not realize what power they have because sometimes it seems inhumane to do the things they do. So many people have said that the biggest struggle Enzo and I will face is the culture barriers. The more time goes by I see that our biggest struggle isn't this but really is the place I have called home since I was born. It is the place I have placed trust in. It is has been my protector.
I spent the day in a gym watching a Brazilian martial arts called Capoeira. Most of the people taking the class were of course Brazilian. Something about being with those people was comforting and refreshing. I hate it that the people most like myself I don't like being around! Maybe I am meant to live overseas and away from this land I use to hold so dear to my heart.

Last night at church the speaker spoke on how our inadequacy is a great place to be. He talked about how him and his wife tried for years to have babies. They tried adoption and medical assistance but nothing came through for them. Finally he decided to quit being a sissy and stop praying for God's glory and pray for what he wanted. He quit with the jargon that had previously had taken control of his prayer life and became real. He prayed for 2 twin sons to come open for adoption. I think it was sometime that day or that week that he recieved a phone call from an adoption agency that said there were 2 twin sons that needed a family. The inadequacy of fertility was what brought him closer to God. He had no control and could do nothing to fix the situation. After church me, Carolyn, Allison, and their co-worker Leah went out for some Mexican. Allison asked me how things were going on the engagement and all I could do was think about the sermon I had just heard. We are in complete inadeqaucy. God has not equipped us to fix our situation. If He had, the problem would be long gone and we would be completely happy. Maybe God is telling us something. Another thing that was mentioned in the talk was Ex.14:21-22...21 "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left." The speaker went on to talk about how weird that would be to walk through the sea like the Isralites did. It would be a complete trust issue as you walk through and know that at any minute the walls of water surrounding you could come tumbling down drowning you, your family, and your friends. I wonder if I am walking through a wall of water with nothing to help myself but just trusting God. If not, am I where I should be?

We filed last week! Our lawyer said it could take up to 6 months for the approval but we are hoping it won't be that long. If you go to this website you can keep track of what day they are processing... https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=Texas ...Just scroll down and you can see the one for the "Petition for Alien Fiance." As of right now they are processing dates that were turned in July 7th. So they are about 3 months behind. Actually, that isn't too bad. Some visas are years behind!

This is my first entry so I hope it works! So many friends keep asking whats going on with me and Enzo so we figured this was the best way to keep everyone updated! Since it is now my glorious September week off from work (at times like this I could teach forever) I have the time to catch up on getting this webpage together. It really is hard to keep in touch with people after you have graduated! You can see from the pics that I went to Brazil this summer with my mom. I think she liked it...but most importantly she really liked Enzo. If you don't know by now, Enzo and are officially engaged. I have also put a picture in from Scott's wedding; he got married July 23rd. Then I was in Ilene's wedding (which unfortunately I don't have any pics, but I will say she looked beautiful!) This week however, I have done nothing except several doctor's appointments, going to the gym(becoming more and more addicted the spinning), seeing friends, and spending some great times with my little Bruiser. For those of you who don't know, I move into my apartment October 28th, so this week I have also been finishing up business with apartment matters. Going back to the part about me and Enzo... things have been progressing little by little but the main thing is that is is progressing!!! We are just waiting on a few forms to get to our lawyers office in Miami and then we will be ready to officially file for the petition of the fiance visa. Once we file it could take 3-4 months before it is passed. Which would probably be around Jan. or Feb. When Enzo is here we have 90 days to get hitched. Right now we are seriously contemplating the idea of Las Vegas. My family is up for it and so are most of our friends. YAY! It's crazy to think we might or might not be married in 5 months! whoaaa...