2005: Our Year in Review

So many new and different (though not necessarily exciting) things have happened to us in the past year or so, I thought I would put together a list. It may end up being a little long, but this is what we have been through in the past year [New Year greetings at the end.]:

• Got engaged (a little more than a year ago).
• I (Karl) spent my first Christmas in Brazil.
• I spent my first birthday in Brazil.
• I had to leave Brazil.
• As soon as I got home (within the first hour of being in Portland) I learned that I had lost my job.
• Tons of instant messaging, email, international phone calls, etc.
• I found a job, and a living situation that was... passable(?)
• Plane tickets purchased (in May).
• Quit my job, packed my things, and flew to Brazil.
• Soon found out that the wedding would not take place on the date we originally planned for.
• We were asked for a bribe by a government official--which we ended up avoiding.
• Went to Forteleza to start the visa process--and found out that we wasted our money.
• We had to postpone the wedding a second time.
• We got married!
• Karl applies for Brazilian permanent residence.
• We went to Recife to see if we could start the visa process there.
• We were soundly rejected (yet another waste of money).
• Karl applies for several jobs at English teaching schools (legally).
• One school interviews, but does not need Karl in the near-term (Not enough advanced students.)
• Karl's application for permanent residence is temporarily rejected (pending a document authorization).
• Another school is interested in Karl's English skills (should know more after Monday).

That looks like enough to me for one year. We are looking forward with anticipation to see where God leads us, and how he leads us there. We are looking forward to seeing His provision in all the little ways that He has provided us with in 2005.

Additionally, we pray the same for you; that you would have a happy and prosperous New Year. That you would trust Him with your needs--and that should you fail to trust him for a moment (who doesn't?), that you would see His light in the midst of your dark moments.

Feliz Ano Novo! Feliz 2006!