Monday, June 21, 2010

To São Paulo and Back

Last week we took a 24-hour trip to the nearest American Consulate in São Paulo to register Juliana as an American citizen born abroad and to get some other documents taken care of. Gabriel stayed with James and Christen while David and I made the quick trip with Juliana. We weren't too thrilled to have to do this, but then a missionary informed us that we would be very close to a big mall that has both Applebee's and Starbucks in it. That may not seem like a big deal, but it was so nice to have a little taste of home! Just sitting at these places brought back good memories of times in the States with family and friends. It helped to "matar saudades", which is hard to translate into English, but word-for-word means "to kill longings for someone or something you miss." Like I said, hard to translate ...


We were very grateful for the efficiency of the American Consulate -- we were in and out in an hour with Juliana's American birth certificate in hand and the rest of the documents to be mailed to our house. I think we also left São Paulo grateful that we don't have to live there. It's huge and crazy and a different world than our São José.

So why am I blogging about such a simple event? I can see God's hand in everything that happened. From the safety He provided on the flights and taxi rides (seriously, our first taxi driver almost side-swiped a car), to how everything went so smoothly at the Consulate. From providing some fun places for us to eat, to giving us a sunny, perfect-temperature day. I believe God pays attention to the smallest details in our lives. I mean, if He knows how many hairs are on my head, then certainly He knows that I really like Starbucks mocha frappuccinos with whipped cream. :)

6 comments:

James and Christen said...

So true! How often do we go through the day or week without even stopping to consider all the great little ways that God cares for us and blesses us? Thanks for sharing the blessings.

Anonymous said...

Praise God for a good trip!!

Gretchen said...

Did the waitress at Applebees spill a whole tray of food, drinks and sauces on you and your leather jacket by any chance? HAHAHAHA!!! Just kidding of course!

Love the picture of Juliana's passport -- such a cutie little face.

Rachel said...

I am so glad you were able to get her passport and have some fun along the way!!!

Rena said...

You are so right that He cares about the teeny details of our lives! So glad your trip to SP was good. You might decide it's OK in the future to make another trip like that. ;)

Anonymous said...

That picture of you with the frap is a familiar sight of you, Sharon. =) And Juliana is sooo innocente in that passport pic. What a muffin!
~jonna