I'm not promising snow at Christmas - more like rain. We've been having spring here already (+16). The crocuses and some tress are blooming - this can't actaully be a good thing. However, I'll enjoy the warmer weather.

Teresa

Travel Europe for Christmas!! very tempting if my mom and friend weren't coming for Christmas. We would love to see some snow, real snow but the Santa float with the snow machine will have to do i guess. Make sure you take some pics and maybe put on a disc so sometime we can see! we need a new photo of your family too, our fridge pic is looking way outdated!

Good to hear some positive news at work for Markus! we'll keep praying for the situation there with Gary. Not easy to work under those types of conditions when you are always the one who is wrong, no matter what! Grace and mercy!!!!!

Patsy, the more we hear about Lisa the more we love her. She is a solid chick!!
We feel super blessed by you guys and Carissa and Bob, more confirmation for us!
By the way Brenda's class raised $238 at the bake sale for us and the car! Awesome! She said the baking sold in 15 minutes!!!!! We are feeling great, and at peace with where God wants us! This is an answer to prayers and questions. Thanks Brenda for your heart and class!

have a super day guys,
Shannon

Hey all, Well, Markus worked till 5:00AM. I just talked with him and he said Frank is not letting Gary rule, he's willing to question things and tell them why things were alittle late - new guy, learning new things, computer break down, etc... it's not all Markus' fault. Finally someone who will stand up for the guy.

See ya,
Teresa

Any takers on that Christmas thing?

Hey all, wow a lot has happened since I last read the blog.

What does JTM think its doing? I guess it's focus is really on Christian schools right now with this thing Harold is getting started. What does this mean? Pats what did you mean when you said JTM was "letting you go". Are you not sure about going back to Brazil now? I really need things written out in plain simple English for me to grasp it.

Markus is working late tonight because Gary emailed the school to check up on him and of course didn't meet with his expectations. I've spent the past two hours on line looking at job opportunities in Canada. I know Markus isn't ready to throw inthe towel yet, but he did say "we'll never be rid of Gary". We would all miss it terribly if we were to leave here now. Then I checked the blog and found out about this Brazil thing. I agree lets all move home again!!

Emily is requiring all the emotions that I can muster up. My friend, the child physocologist, said just love her all the time. Make sure she feels loved and secure at home. I have a wonderful group of women around me who are praying and speaking into Emily right now. i can't change her heart - that's the tough part of parenting. Her heart is between her and God, I can only PRAY.

Dwayne I'll look into those sandal things - please be patient though it could take a while to figure that one out.

This weekend we have our Christmas banquet. I again am in a lip synk group doing Point of Grace's Jingle Bell Rock song. It's the closest I'll ever get to singing in front of a group of people!! It'll be fun again. I do wonder though if one ever gets to old for this kind of fun!! Maybe once the kids start getting embarrassed by it. On Friday night I will help Gail Palsky (worked as a florist in Red Deer for 8 years) make 30 boutineers and corsages for two of the dorms. Then on Saturday I will be at Palmgarten dorm helping do the girls nails. It's all very exciting.

We're still homesick - doesn't anyone want to meet us in England for Christmas? Come on - Sherwood Forest/Nottingham, Yorkshire (James Harriot Country), Oxford (CSLewis), Buckingham Palace, Stoenhenge, etc... The housing is FREE!!

Okay - lets keep each other posted.

Love you all,
Teresa

Teresa,

Just a quick note, or question really, for you. Do you remember the sandles you brought for me. I am wondering if you could see if it is possible to buy insole replacements for them. The insoles come out so it should be possible. Mine are beyond worn out and I love these sandles.

The name of the style of sandle is TATAMI and the sizes on them are 45-101/2, 29, M12. Impressed on the bottom of the insoles is the number 535. I'm not sure what that number is for.

Check it out and see if it is possible. I love these sandles and if I can get replacements, I will be able to continue to use them for a while.

Thanx,

Dwayne

Teresa,

Just a quick note, or question really, for you. Do you remember the sandles you brought for me. I am wondering if you could see if it is possible to buy insole replacements for them. The insoles come out so it should be possible. Mine are beyond worn out and I love these sandles.

The name of the style of sandle is TATAMI and the sizes on them are 45-101/2, 29, M12. Impressed on the bottom of the insoles is the number 535. I'm not sure what that number is for.

Check it out and see if it is possible. I love these sandles and if I can get replacements, I will be able to continue to use them for a while.

Thanx,

Dwayne

Teresa,

Just a quick note, or question really, for you. Do you remember the sandles you brought for me. I am wondering if you could see if it is possible to buy insole replacements for them. The insoles come out so it should be possible. Mine are beyond worn out and I love these sandles.

The name of the style of sandle is TATAMI and the sizes on them are 45-101/2, 29, M12. Impressed on the bottom of the insoles is the number 535. I'm not sure what that number is for.

Check it out and see if it is possible. I love these sandles and if I can get replacements, I will be able to continue to use them for a while.

Thanx,

Dwayne

Hi family,

Well we too agree with Patsy that it's nice to have security in a family when things aren't going as planned, well at least not our plans. The thing is that God knew all these things were going to happen like Brenda and Al's house, the issues with Emily, and the rejection by JTM for Quest. However what is greater is that he knows the future and has big plans for all of us and he is forever with us and just asking us to trust him with it all.
He has and will protect us and our belongings, he has and will continue to keep helping us parent even when we want to give up, and he will fulfill the visions he has given us if we trust him and give it all to him.
We are frustrated and confused by JTM's response to Quest and really felt Monday night that they ripped out our hearts and threw them against the wall like they were garbage or just something to play with. However after much prayer and talking together and with parents and Scott and Patsy we truly believe Quest will come to past the way God wants it too, bigger than we could possibly imagine and in a way that no man could ever make happen. We are at peace now and know that our future is in God's hands and really that is the best place to be. We will stand on the promises, the dreams, and visions he gave and allow him to take this burden off of us. We will continue to trust and pray that he will bring it to pass. The fulfilment of this vision will truely bring glory to God not man.
We are grateful for all your prayers and support and we continue to trust him to take your burdens too.

Teresa and Markus, your kids are blessed to have amazing parents who keep on believing in them even when they stumble. You were chosen to be their parents because God gave you what it takes to do the job. There are days when we would like to trade in ours but we hang on to the fact that God really believes we can do it, and we gave our parents as much or more grief and they didn't give us back!

Patsy and Scott, we know you are meant to be here in Brazil! Your love for this country and these people is God given and he wants you here. He has big plans for you and your kids here! The past 8 years was just preparation for things to come, hang on to the vision!!

Brenda and Al, your hearts for your neighbors, kids at school, people at work and your friends is awesome and God wants to use you to pour out his love to them. You, together are a strong united force that when God is center the enemy cannot break through. I look forward to seeing how God will use you more and more in the years to come.

Mom and dad, you are pillars in our family and we are so thankful we have your years of experience and your faith in God to come to when we need ears to listen, and your words of wisdom. Our family is strong because of your faith and trust in the Most High!

My heart aches for the people here to be saved, they just need the opportunity, and i believe God is preparing a strong wave or movement for this to come to pass. How and when i don't know but i want to be ready, and willing to be a part of it.

Dwayne's heart is aching for Christian leaders here to be restored and encouraged in their God given gifts and responsibilites. He is disappointed with the choice JTM has made but is excited at the wide range of opportunities this opens up for us. God knows exactly who he needs and can use to fulfill his visions.

We need to be willing to do our part and trust God to bring together his people and his plans for his purposes.

Love and blessings,
Shannon and Dwayne

Dear Family,

It is sooooo good to be able to come to this blog and be real. Thanks, Tres, for your update and your openness. We will definitely be praying for much wisdom as you continue being the great parents you are. We love you guys and miss you so much...maybe it's just time for all of us to move HOME!!!

Anyway, on that note, we officially received the notice from JTM board today that they will not be supporting QUEST in Brazil and that we are to talk to them about "redemployment", which I'm assuming means we are being "let go" from Janz Team Ministries. There is a part of our hearts that are feeling rejected, hurt, frustrated, betrayed and many other feelings, BUT there is also a sense of freedom to get away from a mission that is definitely unhealthy in it's set up and that has been wearing on us for a LONG time.

So, the question is...what next? Who truly does believe in us? God or man? Is the vision God has put on so many hearts in Brazil not going to come to be because JTM didn't want to support it? Lots of confusion, but at the same time God's PEACE is starting to take over our anxious hearts. PLEASE PRAY FOR US, OUR KIDS, OUR FUTURE. A part of me wants to give up fighting, but another part of me believes in the vision. Where God closes a door, he opens a window???

Brenda, I would love to come to your party. Thanks for the invitation.

Thanks for praying...we'll keep you posted.

Patsy

Hi family,

Scott, I was sorry to hear of your grandma passing on. She was so cute!... and she lived a good long life. I'm glad you got to celebrate her birthday with her this summer.

Wow! for the grocery gift Patsy and Scott! And the baby in Brazil - Katchy and Zenella (phonetically spelled):)

Teresa thanks for the update. Stealing is tough. We will keep praying as you parent this. I appreciate the update - low emotionally. I understand, as I have been there many a time.

For us this is a season of joy, overall. Sure we have our blue days, due to lack of sunshine, winter, etc. but God is blessing us in so many ways.

I'll write more next time, off to curling tonight.

Love, Brenda

Hi family, Scott we are sorry to hear about your grandma, but also know that she lived a great life, loving Jesus andothers. Glad to hear about the shopping spree - God keeps taking care of His family.

We would appreciate prayer for Emily and her heart. In October we "lost" 50 Euro. One night she asked if we had looke on our pillows yet when we put her to bed. There on our pillows was the money, she said she found it under her bed. No confession or repentence. Last week at school the girl sitting beside was missing two oreo cookies. Emily confessed when I discovered oreo cookie crumbs under her pillow. She apologized tot eh girl and bought her a box of oreos. Today Matthew had 5 Euro lying around an it went missing after Emily was in the room with it. She wont fess up as of yet. Pleas pray that the temptation to steal would be less appealling to her and that she would have a soft heart of confession and repentence. Pray for wisdon for us - we are totally lost as parents as to how to deal with this. This is difficult to not be anxious about.

Otherwise we are doing fine. My small group is now 10 grade 9 girls and myself. They totally ticked me off with their selfishness today. Oh well!!

Niklaas is having a hard time finding time when 11 cast members can get together to video his 13 page script. He already decided that his next script will have less characters. The kids are all very excited about doing this, but they can't all get together on the same days. I really hope for his sake that he can get it videoed.

Matthew is developing a rather odd looking tick in his eyes. he says they are very dry and so he does this funny thing. Markus is concerned that it is becoming a bad habit - I'm not to concerned yet.

I guess I'll start posting scripture verses aboput honesty up in our house now.

I have been very low emotionally. Partly (maybe greatly) due to Emily's issues. Partly - no sunshine (until today). Partly - just very busy with everyone's schedules. Partly - missing family (we're really feeling the four year seperation thing right now - glad for last Christmas!!!!!).

We're okay - but low. How do you explain this?

Hope you are all well.

Glad to hear about the car finally doing okay for you.

Wiebes hope you're all okay.

Teresa

Dear family,

Just a few things to update you all in our lives. First, Scott's grandma Buhler went to be with the Lord on Monday night at the ripe age of 90. Second, Scott's parents have allowed Ricki and the boys(half of the week)to move in with them and Scott is not at all pleased with that decision. It is "supposed" to be temporary, but she is only making $8.50/hr, so we'll see. Third, we had the biggest surprise tonight. I was standing at our table mixing a cake, when the door opened beside me and several of the LDP rushed in and grabbed me and blindfolded me. They took me to Superstore and told me that the LDP food budget had a huge surplus and that they had asked Medeba if they could take us for a HUGE shopping spree!!! Well, they did. I don't even want to know how much it cost, but they totally spoiled us. They are soooo good to us! Fourth, for those of you that remember Cati and Zanella, they had a baby boy named Timothy.

We love you all and really appreciate hearing from all of you.

Patsy

Hey everyone, We finally have our car!!! Yes we went to Porto to pick it up on Tuesday and it has been good so far. The guy we bought it from paid for all the repairs and the price stayed the same. He has been very good about making sure we get what we want. So now, we believe we have a great car. We will get you pictures some time soon.

We had a wonderful time at the beach last weekend. The weather wasn't the greatest, but we did all burn and are pealing now. This coming Wednesday we are going to MCT a huge interactive museum. (S&P can tell you more about it) Anyway, it's a holiday here and my school is going on a field trip there. They got a great deal (R$7/person) so we are all going. Taiesa is going with us and we will continue on to Pelotas for the weekend. It is Ivan's B-day on Monday the 20th. We promised them that Pelotas would be the first trip in our new car, so this is it.

Tiago stopped by here the other day. He is back from Canada and loved it. He is planning to go back in March. Cindy had sent a little package for us. PEANUTBUTTER!!!!!!!!! Man we missed that stuff. We also got some real Twizzlers, Good Host Iced Tea and a few other things. It was great to hear about his time and to hear about Canada.

Well I should head off. Look forward to hearing from you all soon.

Dwayne

Hello everyone...we are keeping busy with the course, Mom and Dad's visit, and now we are doing the final preparations for our Quest business plan for the November Janz Team Canada board meetings. Please pray for decision soon, so we can use this year to fundraise, plan ,etc.

I knew that Frances is funky, but did you know that she is a whiz with a digital camera??? Yeah, she managed to get our family standing up straight, but the entire parliment building is leaning!!! She's amazing. We had a great time in Ottawa and Toronto with Mom and Dad. We all managed to survive the CLOSE living quarters and actually enjoy ourselves!!!

We love you all and look forward to more updates from you all.

Love, Patsy

Hey, Tres, our other blog is only to inform our supporters and mostly our Brazilian friends about what is happening in our lives. Don't worry...Frances Funky Family is still our family's blog!!! Love you all.

Have fun at the beach Klassens!

Love you,

Patsy

Just to let you know, our car must not be done because it didn't show up today. Soooo, we are taking this other car to the beach this weekend and the guy will probibly come to drop it off tomorrow, but well we won't be here. We are leaving at 5am and will get back Sunday sometime.

Have a great weekend,
Dwayne

Wow, Brenda and Al...I just read the blog today after missing a few days. We are so glad that you are both safe and that your belongings were protected. Praise God! We will continue to pray for peace and a calming of your spirits.

We are doing well with Mom and Dad here. We spent one day in Toronto...did the CN Tower, which was definitely worth it and also the Hockey Hall of Fame. On Saturday we are heading off to Ottawa for 2 days...should be good.

Our house is small and "cozy", as Muki said, but it has been a good visit. The kids had a hoot getting their Halloween costumes ready. Muki was Sponge Bob, Hannah was Curious George's little sister, Georgina and Caleb was a lumberjack. We took them trick-or-treating and we all had a lot of fun. They have never had so much candy in their lives.

We love you all and enjoy hearing from you all. Hey where are the kids and teens??? We need to hear from you guys as well!!!

Love, Patsy

Hi Everyone,

Well first we are glad to hear that Al and Brenda are safe and nothing was taken. It definitely shows us God's hand of protection. And like i told Brenda last night, whoever it was that broke in it is someone else to pray for. Maybe too they will realize that it isn't worth the risk again to break in to someone's place.

We went to Porto yesterday to get the car repairs done, the guy that sold it to us will bring it today. He gave us another car to bring home so that was nice. He has been good to us and we trust everything is on the up and up. He even gave us a ride to the shopping mall while we waited, picked us up after and tried to give us directions to the bus station. So today we will have our car back and running properly.

It was quite the adventure yesterday at times. We found the right gas station to meet him at after a few turns we weren't sure of. When he took us to the mall we stopped to pickup his mom, which we chuckled about. At the mall we went shopping a bit and then went to McDonalds. Of course that was also a bit of a hoot because the armed guards were there with hand on gun collecting the money. That was a first at McD's for us! After we got the other car we had to find the bus station which everyone said it easy or you can't miss it. RIGHT!! But after a few interesting conversations and one while driving, asking a guy who we believe was drunk, we found it. We were waiting to pick up Lidi so we drove around a bit and found DC shopping. It wasn't quite what we were looking for but the most entertaining because the arrows on the road told you where to go. We followed and at one point you could go straight or turn according to the arrows. We opted to turn because the straight arrows directed you into a brick wall. (we had a good laugh)
Anyway we made it home last night in one piece with some good stories and today have many things to do to prep for our trip to the beach with Taisa's family and Lidi.

Will blog on our return next week.
Lots a love,
Shannon