The Unexpected 

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9

    In this special month of November, I've truly learned and experienced that, "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." - Proverbs 16:9. 

   I planned everything that I wanted to do this month. Aunt Corenne and her family were going to go to the States to visit supporters and fundraise. So I was going to have time on my own, but God had other plans. Two days before departure, Aunt Corenne informed me that I was going as well. I was so focused on what I wanted that I wasn’t surrendered to God’s will and Lordship. I didn’t see things with God’s eternal view. I felt God didn’t care about what I wanted and was blinded by discontent and missed out on what God really wanted to do in my life in this special month.

   So I found myself in the States shortly after the announcement! I spent nearly one month in the States. It was one of the biggest blessings! I worked with Bella on her school, helped Aunt Corenne and Uncle Phil with their fundraising, met new people and saw old friends and visited with my family. The outcome of the trip was far beyond what I’d imagined. I played tennis and also got to go to the zoo. I went to Oregon and saw a little bit of snow. I spent my 25th birthday on Thanksgiving and in the States for the first time. I ran my first turkey trot on my birthday. There are just too many things to share about God’s goodness in my life during this special time in the States.

    I thank God for everything. Like the verse, God’s plans are always better!

We had a little birthday party for one of our volleyball girls.

Aunt Jenny, who is a part of Gardena Valley Church, was very kind to pick me and Bella up from the airport as we landed in LA and took us to Bella's uncle's house. She was very busy and had other things to do, but she really felt God calling her to help us instead. There was bad traffic, as usually, but we had a great time catching up.

Now the pictures below are about Oregon. We spent a week there.

This is the family of one of Corenne's best friends from childhood.

It's been a long time since I've jogged. This reminded me a lot of Germany as it was freezing cold at one point. But I've never seen trees that red before. It's amazingly beautiful.

After Oregon, we were on a motorhome headed towards SF. We met up with friends from Menlo Park and were thrilled to spend some time with them. It was Bella's first time going to an actual youth group! It really opened her eyes. Hopefully, she'll have more opportunities to go to a youth group.

We met these lovely teens when they came to Brazil in July of 2024. They are a part of Menlo Church and they come yearly to participate and serve at our kids' camp at City of Youth of Hope Unlimited.

We later stopped by Sacramento to visit a church. Then we headed straight down to San Diego. I was able to see family... 🥺 Even though it was only for a few hours, it was such a blessing to be able to spend quality time with them...

After San Diego, we came to our final stop, LA. I was able to meet up with Aunty Annie, Uncle Karl and my cousins. Again, it was really touching to be able to see them. They received me with so much love that I know I'll always have a home here.

We met up with people from Gardena Valley Church!!! I met them in July of 2023. You can fact check it in my blog. They are all people so down to earth and lovely. Through their love, grace and presence, I can see God's love and that He surely cares about me. He uses these people to take care of me.

Good times with Bella and the family. Couldn't have enough Starbucks as we don't have it where we live in Brazil. Chick-fil-A as well.

These are some of the little doggies I've met on this trip not including mine. They are all so cute in their own way.

Beautiful pics of dawn and dusk.

We were able to visit Ester at her work when we left Brazil to the States. And again, before leaving to the States, I was able to serve at church with all these wonderful sisters in Christ.