Summers Over...What next?

Thought I'd try to do one of these fun blogs. I have wanted to for a long time, but technology always gets the best of me. Hopefully I'll be able to handle it! Just read Lindsey's blog last night and it inspired me to try, hers was so cute.

We had a busy August. Started it out by going to Brazil to pick Matt up from his mission. It was a big payday for a mom and dad. He was so loved by the people he served and served with. We didn't have enough time to visit everyone, and those we visited would have liked us to stay longer. It was hard for him to say goodbye, and in the short time we were there, I could understand why. The people were so loving, so generous and warm. My memories of this trip will be of great meals, warm hearts, and so many people smiling because of the good things, "Elder Romero" brought into their lives.

We had an eventful trip. The first day we left Sao Paulo to visit Rio de Janiero. We had a hard time getting from the mission home to the airport, for a number of reasons,(mainly one way streets going the opposite direction of the GPS instructions!) and a late start. Needless to say, we missed our plane, and had to buy new one way tickets. All was well, and we made it there safe and sound, and a little stressed. It is a little unnerving when the rental car agent gives you instructions to the hotel, and says, "don't get off the highway or you may get shot"...or something to that effect. We started out with a little prayer, and lots of faith, and made it there safe!

We spend 3 days in Rio. We went to the famous beaches of Copacabana, Flamingo, and Ipanema. Didn't get in and swim because Matt was still a missioinary, and wasn't able to swim. We went to Christ the Redeemer, and Sugarloaf...Spectacular views from both places.

We spent most of our visit in the last area of Matt's mission, (Sorocaba) The best part of the trip by far was meeting the wonderful people he had met on his mission. A visitor can't just stop in to say "Hi". There must be a visit, some food, hugs and because it was a "last visit" lots of pictures. Speaking of pictures, my purse with my camera and blackberry were stolen while in a restaurant in Sorocaba. I had to remember the family motto, "We cry over people, not about things..." It was a bit of a bummer. Luckily Greg had many of the same pictures that I did, and I can look at his...he's a better photographer anyway!