Dear Marian and Frank,
I can't get my pen to work, so will peck away. You will be happy to know that we got your books on Charles's birthday on the 15th. Everyone was delighted and Charles found his two cats in the lovely cat book. We saw the movie, "Doctor DoLittle" a long time ago. It is an interesting book. I started the book by Catherine Marshall and am enjoying it. We have read only one of the condensed Reader's Digest- about the Maya family. I have been busy reading books but also make Rachel read some to Helen. A special thank you from all of us.
Mary wrote that Louie and Rosie have a boy born on my birthday. Happy to hear the news and must write to congratulate them.
Thanks for the pictures. It is the first time that we have seen Erik. He has curly hair like Lisa had. Marian and Lisa look very nice in the pictures.
You asked what we did on Christmas Day. We went to a home where four families that are related got together. It was a pot-luck dinner and very good. It turned out to be a hot day. We were pleased with the plays for the program that was held on Christmas Eve. At 10:30 a visitor arrived at our home and stayed overnight. She missed a bus to go to Cianorte. We didn't know her before and found her to be very pleasant. She was here this week on her way back to her home in Porto Alegre.
Off and on, a lady who is 69 years old comes to our house, has slept here two nights and has had several meals. She isn't quite right in her mind and none of her relatives in our country church want her for when they have tried to help she got the police to believe that they took money of hers and then the relatives had to pay. she has been at an old folks' home in the capital of this state, but managed to get away. She didn't have but one dress so I gave her one of mine in order to wash her dress. The relatives know that she is staying at a home for transient people and that she comes here often but no one has done anything about it. The lady never married and has only nieces and nephews close by. Very sad but she talks a lot and I only understand half as he sometimes puts German in with her Portuguese.
Mary wrote that they might get a humidifier instead of a drier. No one has said how much we should send or did someone pay for us?
While we were in Londrina for our spiritual retreat we took the children to see the "Love Bug" about a car called Herbie. It was cute- showing how he could win races but when his owner didn't pay attention to him, he would have temper tantrums. "Ben, the Bear" is here this week. We saw it in the States almost four years ago and they don't remember it.
I heard Minnesota got a lot of snow this month. We have had a lot of rain causing flood over the main highway to our capital, so barges have had to take people and small cars across. Today was one of our hottest days- about 100- right now the children are swimming in the rain, or rather, downpour.
We have a seminary student coming for part of the time when we will be gone. Now Joey is busy with Vacation Bible School in two churches. Two girls from the Bible Institute are helping. Also, Joey has to go to Cianorte (1 hour drive) often as he is on commission for our mission public school. Next month is a five day Bible camp right before Lent starts. Starting next month I will visit women that seldom or never come to Women's Bible meetings which start again in March when summer vacation is over. Rachel and Charles have off from school until February 9th. I try to take them swimming several times a week. Rachel knows how to swim, Charles will dive from the shallow side and can swim a short distance and Helen likes the water, but won't put her head under.
I have asked my Dad to get three second hand sleeping bags or air mattresses. We won't be staying at any mission home as those are for one year furloughs. They would give us money to rent a furnished apartment but we hope that won't be necessary as we hope to stay with our brothers, sisters, and parents. I think the only deputation will be visiting churches in Brooklyn and Columbus, Ohio on the way to Minnesota and then later we will go to Havre, Montana, perhaps by train as the latter pays for half of our support.
We just heard that we will be having physicals at the Mayo Clinic when we are on furlough. Apparently, the clinic was happy to have the opportunity to study those that live in tropical or semi-tropical climates. There are many types of worms here that they have never heard of in Minnesota. Charles just had a blood test, an X-ray and gets hysterical whenever anything is done. He had a sore muscle in his leg and the doctor ordered tests, but everything was normal. I don't know how it started, but he is the worst when it comes to shots. Three people have to hold him down.
Joey is teaching Charles how to play chess. The cards you sent we played once showing how they had to follow suit and the highest card takes the trick. But, we didn't explain about hearts yet. While in Londrina we got a memory game consisting of pairs. Most are animals, fruits, and different designs. Usually, we play with about 40 pairs at once- all are turned over and mixed up. So far, Charles has been the winner. I remember in what area one was turned up that I want, but I don't do well. Even Helen does as well as I do much of the time and she doesn't even pay attention to the cards that are turned up. They are calling me to play a game now.
Love,
Donna and Joey
Sorry but this typewriter jumps and we haven't been able to get it fixed.
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