Carla's Grandpa

Carla's grandpa emigrated to Brazil from Italy. She thought it would add to the learning to hear his story and the process he went through. They also have food available that is served at traditional birthday parties. Again, the food is just so amazing. There hasn't been one thing that I have not liked. 

In 1955, he was part of the second group that came after WWII when Europe was in chaos. He came from Italy on ship with his family. Three siblings remained in Italy - they already had families. The intent was to farm, as the area was zoned for Italy - the federal government bought the land. They farmed cotton on the land and sold the product to pay to own the land and house. 

A school was created kids to learn Portuguese. He met his wife that way. After 9 years his parents wanted to go back to Italy. He stayed 3 more years at the colony and then came to Avare because his wife’s family lived in Avare. 

He stayed over and over that he is not afraid of hard work. They would do every type of work, it didn't matter. His wife's family owned a retail store and today it is 111 years old. He liked his wife’s family. They were Lebonese - and while they didn’t trust a lot of people, they trusted him. Let him into the circle of trust. Working with Carla, she always talks about this circle of trust she has and it's very small. Now I know where that comes from. 

He said that he would not move back to Italy - maybe to visit. He told us about the house and area where he grew up in Italy. The house in Italy that he grew up in is still there. There used to be more trees and land before the war. Where Germans invaded, it was right on the property, Vedegheto near Balongia, Saveino county. His brother was captured and put into a camp in Africa. He was missing for three years and they thought he was dead. He was taken to Germany and Russia controlled it. They held him and one day he came back biking. Many Brazilians went to help with the war. 

There was so much history that he grandpa shared with us. I wish that I had recorded the conversation because there is so much that I could not capture as he talked and Carla and her uncle translated. I am a huge historical fiction reader and read many books during the WWII era. I plan to go back and do some research about the house and area because there is so much more to learn. I also feel like maybe there is a story here to write about one. 

Day 7 - 3/10

We were up super early as we were leaving São Paulo. It was about a 3 hour drive to the ferry to go to Ilhabela. We waited there another two hours as there were that many people waiting to cross. I have been on ferries before and I have seen where there are multiple ferries working to get people back and forth. Here, there was just the one and it didn't hold a lot of vehicles. Not only were there regular cars, but there were large trucks like ones that transport dirt and such.

Once on the ferry we were able to get out. The view was so amazing. Every time we see a different part of Brazil, I can’t believe that it could even prettier and more green. One of the things I noticed right away was how humid it was. Even more than the other places. After we got to the hotel we stayed just long enough to drop our items off. Then it was off to eat. The restaurant was very nice and the food was good. One thing I am surprised about it how heavy and starchy a lot of the food is. I would hoping for more fresh and light choices. 

Afterwards, Tracy and I walked around the little shops they have. There were some cute items and we had some ice cream. It was fun to try and order. The gal was so nice and even used our translator to respond. We walked around a little more and found more water. I didn’t think I could feel more hot and gross. In Arizona, we have a very dry heat so even thought it can get to 115*, it's not humid. 

We were able to go back to the room to rest before meeting for dinner again. I laid on the bed for an hour because I was so tired. We have been on the go every day that any time I can just lay there is amazing. At one point the electricity went out and my fear was I would be sleeping with no air. In all of the places we have stayed, there is no central air. Most lobbies have no air and the rooms have one unit in the room. I am surprised at how well they work. One thing is that if there was a fan even, that would make a huge difference to keep the air circulating. Back home, we have a ceiling fan in every room so even without the AC, things stay cooler.  

Dinner was at 830 and the original plan was ruined with all the rain. We went next door and tried some polenta and a burger. The polenta was ok, I wish it had some more flavoring. Trying new foods is not the norm for me. My husband is the foodie and I like to stick to what I know. This entire trip has been so out of my comfort zone, that I am jumping in to try and do it all.

Day 3 - Monday 3/6

It was nice to sleep in a bit And Tracy and I took a walk through the neighborhood. The houses were just beautiful, such a different style than back home. Back in Arizona, we do not have gates all around the house. One thing that was really interesting is that the trash is out on shelf and someone runs around and picks up the trash, no truck. 

Breakfast at the hotel looked super fancy compared to American hotels. We mainly had fruit because we were hot from our morning walk. There was so much variety of breads and sweets. You could have eggs, meat, fruit, as much as you desired. 

Our trip to UniFSP was incredible. They are very much an applied program. We toured the new medical facility where students learn how to do X-rays, dental hygienist work, occupational therapy, biopsies, nursing, autopsy. And then people from the community can get free care while the students learn how to work on people. Many students are hired   into the clinics. The university is highly recommended to people in the community because even though the students are learning, they care is top notch.  We got to tour this area where students were working on people and it made me tear up knowing that those from low income families have the opportunity to receive care without worrying how much it is going to cost. I don't know of many schools in the United States that provide this type of outreach. 

We also got to go into a classroom with students attending class. The excitement from them about us was really amazing. They were intrigued and one student who does speak English got up and shook our hands. It was quite funny to see the girls going crazy over the boys in our group. Being a former teacher, there is such an electricity that you feel in classrooms where students are excited to be there and want to learn. I felt this within the entire university. 

Carla took us to this super gorgeous sweet shop, Bruna Gauss, with the most amazing food. And the decorations were so cute. It looks like a place that belongs in NYC or Disney. I wanted to try everything and the hospitality really was so different than back home. After the pandemic, it is a struggle to get people to come to work and they are always short staffed, and people are not happy to be at work. This was not the case at all in Brazil. 

Day 2 - Sunday 3/5

One of the first things I noticed is that we got off the plane the fastest I have ever experienced. I don't know if it's because it is so much bigger so people have more space to quickly get their carry-ons or people are ready to get off the plane after 9 hours. Stepping off the plane and noticed that our area is small, there are not people really standing around waiting to get on the next flight, and no shops. All of the airports I have been in, once you get off the plane, the next group of people are waiting to get one. It seems like there’s an exit and entrance area for planes.  

We walked for awhile to get from the plane to customers. Once we got to the customs area, we froze. This was my first experience with customs in this fashion and all the lines were just overwhelming. There were signs for Brazil, crew, two others and foreigners. It took us a moment to realize we are the foreigners. The customers officer was super nice and got very excited to know it was my first time in Brazil. That part was very quick and it was exciting to my first stamp in my passport. 

The baggage area was very similar to other airports. The carrousels were just larger and it seemed that some of our bags were on different ones. I rarely travel with two suitcases so I completely forgot that I had one more bag. Thankfully I remembered before we left. Come out there were so many items in the duty free area. Again it felt like we walked forever to get out where Carla and her dad were waiting for us.  

There were so many people that had come off flights and it was hard to not feel like we were in the way wherever we went. Some students had to exchange their money, and we got to try pao de queijo. It was so amazing and something I would love to make back home. 

We drove toward Avare and on the way got to eat at Camponesa. I don't remember what we ate, but it was so good. One really interesting thing are the little cards you get as you enter the store and then whatever you order is added to your card number. Meeting our professors was really nice because it just adds so much when you can meet people in person. Then the whole drive home, I was amazed at how green everything was. Living in the desert we have our own beauty, but we do not have the amount of trees and grass as Brazil has. 

Day 1 - Off to Brazil

There has been much turmoil in the days leading up to leaving that has added to the stress of traveling internationally. While I’ve traveled all over the United States and I love to fly, I’ve never flown outside of the country. There is much excitement, stress, and unknowns that are swirling about in my mind. Saying bye to my husband was much harder than I anticipated, but I tell myself it’s just part of the growing process that is ahead.  I am one who usually likes to travel alone, so I was worried about traveling with others. There were four of us coming from Tucson and when we got to Houston, the others joined us. I will say it really helped because the process of flying internationally was new to most of us. 

I've flown into Houston before, but it was always my end stop. Going from one area to another was quite the walk. One thing we noticed was that ordering was done by QR code at different tables. And different sections were for different restaurants. Also, when we boarded our plane it felt a bit like mass chaos because there were so many people and not really any lines. We had different boarding groups, but it didn't help with people forming in an organized fashion. I have also never been on a plane that large so the amount of people was overwhelming. 

When we did get to board and made our way to seats, we were all sitting in different places. I did upgrade my seat because knowing my back and how long my legs are, sitting in the back for 9+ hours was not going to go well. My "friend" next to me was not into socializing and I don't think he spoke much English. Dinner wasn't so bad on a plane and it was fun to actually be served food. I remember having meals while flying over 20 years ago. All in all, our day of travel wasn't so bad. 

#Fiercehearted

I’m so excited about Holley’s new book that launched today. This book spoke to the deep parts of my heart that I don’t share with many people: dreams, purpose, trust. We were created to be Fiercehearted. Check out her new book and I know you’ll find yourself laughing, crying, and saying YES!!

I was honored to be part of the launch team for Holley's amazing book.  I love that this book is written with short chapters because you can read at least one chapter a day and walk away with an overflowing heart.  It's ok to not have everything figured out, but know we are not alone.  

There are a couple of phrases that really spoke to me.  "To believe in yourself means to believe that God made you and there is no one like you, that you have a unique call to courage, and that you can do the thing that is staring you in the face." - Annie Downs   I've always been told and I believe that I was created for a purpose, but life happens and it is very easy to forget this.  We need these little reminders that we are special and our calling is right where we are along with even more ahead.

"Let's make this our declaration: instead of trying to have it all together, we will dare to do real, messy, imperfect life all together."  It is exhausting to give this fake facade that everything is grand and wonderful.  We need to cling to those who will walk with us through the ups and downs because none of us has it all together.  This quote goes along with the next one: "Let's remember we are all still in the middle of the messy, beautiful work of becoming."  We are all a work in progress!

"Let's never think we are more holy or whole than someone else.  We may have cracks in different places, but we are all still broken...and still beloved."  This a book you need to read.  You'll find yourself referring back to it as it's like curling up with an old friend. 

God's Best-Kept Secret

I really enjoyed how Mark Maulding really opened up my eyes to the scriptures. There were many times that I would just sit and absorb in what I had read. I was challenged in ways that I didn't think were possible and enjoyed the questions and explanations for them. "God's will is woven into our divine design so we can choose his will as he leads us into it."

Becoming Mom Strong

Heidi St. John has a way of speaking to the hidden corners of your heart.  There have been many days where I struggle with being a mom and how much my life has changed.  Heidi gives practical ways to stand firm in your faith and how to model that for your own children.  I love hearing from someone who is honest about their own cracks and flaws and yet keeps pressing forward!  This is a book I will refer back to and have even bought the audio book for my sister.

She Is Yours

Jonathan and Wynter Pitts share from their heart on how to lead and raise girls through prayer and example.  I love the prayers at the end of every chapter - every part of their sharing involves laying your heart and daughter before God.  While this book was written for parents of girls, I took many of the prayers and prayed over my son.  I bought this book for my sister and praying that it blesses her life as much as mine.

Is Jesus Worth It?

Stacey's first book in her new series is thought-provoking.  She walks you through Hebrews and answers the question, "Is Jesus Worth It?"  There were moments when I felt like she could read my mind and then hugged me and said it's ok.  Life is hard and our faith is tested in ways that make us want to crumble.  Jesus is right there with us and stretches out his arms, we just have to reach back.  This book helps us to remember to listen and then put out our hand.