The Hoskins Family

ORCHIDARIO

2009-05-25T14:19:00.002-03:00

One day we had a family day to the Orchidario in Santos. It was beautiful and reminded us of how GREEN Brazil is ( of course, you never forget because GREEN is everywhere!

Swimming Lessons

2009-05-25T14:00:00.004-03:00

We thought it best to have the girls in swimming lessons since we live so close to the beach. Hope and Abigail love and Gracie is very fond of the goggles!

Fishin' with Toni

2009-05-25T13:50:00.002-03:00

Last week, Toni, our household help Renata's husband, offered to take Chuck fishing with a net. Chuck was up for a new experience.

Take a look.

Baptisms

2009-05-25T13:37:00.003-03:00

Dia da Ciadinha
This was a special day where our church, Primeira Igreja Batista Guarujá em Itampema (PIBIG) - (First Baptist Church of Guarujá in the neighborhood of Itapema) was able to Baptize 43 people.

Chuck was able to participate as one of the "baptizing pastors". The event took place at a local pool and several hundred people attended the afternoon Baptism and BB-Q. It was a really neat experience!

One of the first baptisms Chuck did was incredibly joyous! This man let out a wonderful shout of praise to the Lord as he was raised again to walk in newness of life with Jesus Christ! It was truly AWESOME!

New Baby Ultrasound May 2009

2009-05-25T10:30:00.003-03:00

Well, we're expecting again this December. Our life is wild and wooly and GREAT FUN!!! We love being here in Brazil, serving the Lord, sharing God's love with Brazilians, sharing His plan of salvation, and "being fruitful and multiplying"!!!

Here's our most recent multiplication result... Allison is about 9 weeks pregnant with our new baby. Take a look.

Sufin' Missionaries

2009-03-02T17:00:00.003-03:00

We are having so much fun living near the beach!!! Both Chuck and Allison are learning how to surf. The girls and I (Allison) just bought Chuck a new surfboard for Christmas. We had it custom made and painted right here in Guaruja at a place called "Lightning Bolt" by a guy named Tyola - who is a really big surfer and shaper. Pretty neat we thought. WE had one side painted where the American flag transforms in to the Brazilian Flag, and the other side painted so that Chuck can use it as an evangelism tool. It says, (in Portuguese) Only Grace, Only Faith, Only Jesus, Only Scripture.

Take a look...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Bronchitis

2009-01-24T15:52:00.000-02:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

End of the Year School Party

2009-01-07T00:05:00.001-02:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Rio de Janeiro

2008-12-22T15:45:00.003-02:00

Chuck went to Rio a while back for a training for home missionaries with the Brazilian Baptist Convention. Here are some pics of beautiful Rio...

Surfboard Shopping

2008-12-22T15:30:00.004-02:00

Being that we now live near the beach for the first time in our lives, Chuck has taken up surfing. So, the girls and I have decided that daddy needs a cool surfboard. So, last week, the whole family went surfboard shopping, take a look...

The Hoskins in Brazil

2008-12-18T04:13:00.000-02:00

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Fun with Paint

2008-12-09T01:26:00.000-02:00

Care Packages

2008-11-02T21:40:00.002-02:00

We've received several care packages during our time here so far! We GREATLY appreciate each one! What a blessing! It is so encouraging to know that ya'll are thinking about us & praying for us! I just happened to have the camera in hand to capture the opening of our most recent care package.

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THANK YOU to each of you who have mailed us a care package, we're sending you each a hug from Guaruja!

Chuck's Trip to Ouro Preto

2008-10-30T22:27:00.005-02:00

In September, Chuck went to Ouro Preto (Black Gold). Chuck went to see how fellow IMB missionary, David Bledsoe, handled mission teams from the States. His mom also came down on that mission trip and then stayed a bit longer with us afterward. Here are some pics from that trip...

Ferry Boat Rides

2008-10-08T18:58:00.003-03:00

We live on the island of Guaruja. We often travel over to Santos or Bertioga and take the Ferry Boat! The girls always want to get out and see the water. This day, since MawMaw was visiting, so we took pictures and here they are..

My little Portuguese speakers

2008-10-08T18:49:00.005-03:00

I can't always get the girls to speak Portuguese on "cue" when we talk to the family back in the USA on SKYPE, but this day, they were willing.

(I'm asking Hope to tell me what she is doing. She's telling me she is painting. Then I ask her what colors she wants and she tells me white and red - more or less - I'm still learning too and in fact, they will often correct my pronunciation or vocabulary - go figure!)

Listen...

Isabela Grace said Mama 1st, then Dadda, Hope, and Abigail. Next came "aqua" then "obrigada" (thank you). She likes coffee, staying up late, and Bossa Nova music and naps! She is definitely our little Brazilian baby!

Random Family Moments

2008-09-12T04:24:00.001-03:00

Here are some random fun moments captured by our I-Camera on the Apple Laptop!!!

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2nd Phase Language Learning Activity

2008-09-08T00:29:00.002-03:00

I've graduated to "Phase 2" in language learning. One activity I have to do is to accumulate 10 different recipies from Brazilian friends. Yesterday, our friends MariAngela and her husband Everaldo adpoted us for the day. We went to a parade for the Brazilian Independence Day, had a wonderful lunch, hung out with the extended family, went shopping, and made a cake! It was great for my Portuguese and the cake turned out good too!

Expressions

2008-09-07T22:16:00.001-03:00

I just thought this was a cute picture of Gracie - then it dawned on me that I often seem to have the same expression when I don't understand what is being said to me in Portuguese!

With Our Professors

2008-09-07T21:55:00.001-03:00

Here we are our professors, Cida & Rui Rix.

Barbie Butterfly Birthday

2008-08-28T14:32:00.002-03:00

Abigail recently had a birthday and we celebrated with several friends! Here's a pic of the birthday girl and her new "Barbie Butterfly" costume from MawMaw!

Sharing

2008-08-28T14:29:00.001-03:00

Abigail is getting better at sharing! This day in particular she decided to share her treat with Gracie!

Care Packages

2008-08-28T14:25:00.002-03:00

We all love to receive care packages! Recently MawMaw & Papa and Grand & Patriarch sent the girls some "Birthday Boxes". Hope and Abigail loved it and even had fun for days afterwards playing with THE BOX!!! They decorated it with necklaces and stickers and colored it! THE BOX!!! Of course they liked what was IN the box as well, but they have really enjoyed THE BOX itself!

Daddy & Gracie

2008-08-28T14:21:00.001-03:00

Daddy has a spot just for Gracie. She likes to sleep in it while he works at the computer!

Congregation of Pereque

2008-08-21T21:26:00.002-03:00

The congregation at Pereque is a church-start by another existing Baptist church in Guaurja. Please pray for this church to reach out to the communitry of Pereque, for their safety, and for their newly married pastor, Evandro, and his wife, Marcione.

21st Century Kid

2008-08-21T21:24:00.001-03:00

Hope recently caught our attention when she said...

Hey Look, I'm an e-mail with an attatchment!!!

Churraso (Brazilian Cookout)

2008-08-10T15:23:00.003-03:00

Recently we went to a Brazilian Cookout at the girls school. Brazilians love the churrasco (the way to grill out meat over hot coals) - really good. Typically you have side dishes of rice, beans, farofa & salada. It's really good!!! And as you can see the girls really liked it too!

Family Day #2

2008-08-02T02:54:00.001-03:00

Igreja Batist de Morrinhos

2008-07-31T03:14:00.003-03:00

Last Sunday we visited this church. WAY COOL. We were very excited to spend the day with Pastor Valtecy, his wife Antemia, and kids, Lucas and Larissa. Please pray for future opportunities for us to work in the areas of Morrinhos and Vila Edna and that new churches will be planted here to reach the more than 30,000 people that live in these areas! Pray for Pastor Valtecy and his family, for their safety, provision, and a peace that passes all understanding as they learn to trust God more each day!

Family Day

2008-07-24T03:42:00.001-03:00

God created the world in 6 days and then He rested on the 7th! So, we thought it best to follow His lead. We've taken up the challenge of setting aside time each week for a "Family Day". On our first Family Day we went to the Aquarium in Santos. Then to the park at the beach in Santos, then to the park at the beach in Guaruja! We had a wonderful day and it was really refreshing! The girls really enjoyed it!

Cheese

2008-07-16T22:25:00.004-03:00

Our little Gracie is growing so fast. She is now 9 months old. She's pulling up on things and trying to stand unassisted. She is very fast. She learned how to say "cheese" and "bye-bye" this week. She is the smiliest baby I've ever seen! And she is definitely a 21st century baby - she has learned to smile at herself when she sees herself on the I-Camera on the computer or on Skype talking to family over the internet!

Abigail, Baby, and Mom

2008-06-22T19:28:00.002-03:00

Abigail's favorite stuffed animal is named Baby. This weekend we did another Lice treatment on the girls hair just top make sure we'd gotten them all. Abigail decided that Baby needed to have her hair done too! Abigail was so cute about the whole thing we just had to get in front of the I-Camara and snap a picture!

At Ferry Boat Shopping Center

2008-06-22T19:19:00.002-03:00

We have really enjoyed spending time with our friends Daiane and Alex. They have helped us so much! Here are some shots of us visiting the Ferry Boat Shopping Center. It has a wonderful view across to Santos from Guaruja. Alex and Daiane continue to be a tremendous blessing to our family!

LICE!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-14T23:05:00.007-03:00

YUCK YUCK YUCK is what I have to say about lice! What a headache! But I suppose we all have to "scratch" that "itch" when it arrives! Well, for us here at the Hoskins household - this lovely blessing has been bestowed upon us!

Look Mom...We're pretending the beans that Abby spilled are baby bugs! Just like the ones in my hair - aren't they cute?

OK - so Hope's reaction to us finding out that we all had lice was better than mine...

But, after realizing - it's just one of those thing...I had to get the camera and take a picture of the girls playing with the beans (I mean, "baby bugs") and putting guarding them by dropping them into the empty 20 liter water tank that we usually drink filtered water from!

Well - after reading up on the internet about the unsafety of chemical lice shampoo and small children - we decided to use the home remedy of mayonaise!!! The girls and I had lots of fun smothering the bugs with mayonaise! We're supposed to sleep in it and shower tomorrow and then use the lice comb to rid ourselves of these lovely little blood-sucking blessings!

Mom and Gracie have fun with the I-Camara

2008-06-14T22:57:00.001-03:00

Gracie loves to see herself on the computer. (We often talk online to our family and friends) I seem to have captured many "Mom and Gracie" moments... take a look...

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Baby Carrier

2008-06-14T22:52:00.002-03:00

This is how Gracie often gets around. It is quite the conversation starter too! People ALWAYS stop us and ask us about it b/c it is so foreign here. This provided us a wonderful opportunity to share about "why" we're here in Brazil!!!

Signs, Signs

2008-06-14T14:24:00.002-03:00

24HR Parking lot and car was including Sundays and Holidays

One of the discount drugstores Advertised by soccer legend PELE

The Lottery (Loteria) is very big here. The Loteria store is also the same place you pay some of your bills - lights, gas, water, etc.)

How many different cuts of meat do you recognize here?

A Railroad crossing sign. (We actually go excited recently when we saw a train. There are so few where we live. I think I've only seen 1 train since we've lived in Brazil!)

Interesting Shots

2008-06-14T14:17:00.004-03:00

Graffiti, buses, and houses built on top of each other are a common sight here.

Interesting Shots

2008-06-14T14:05:00.004-03:00

The graffiti here often appears to be quite the art form!

Vendor sells bananas at road-side stand

Party Day at School

2008-06-06T08:41:00.003-03:00

The last day of every months the girls new school celebrates birthdays. On this day Abigail got fixed up like a kitty cat! She really enjoyed acting the part. Then of course, when Hope saw Abigail - she just had to get in on the fun too. So when we got home, I did my best to paint Hope with make-up. Obviously mom is not the professional, but the girls really enjoyed this day

Visit with Dr. Floyd & Mrs. Helen

2008-06-06T07:56:00.005-03:00

Dr. John Floyd and his wife Helen came on a whirlwind trip of South America not too long ago. While they were in Brazil, they were able to come see us! We were so excited to see familiar faces from home in Memphis and from home at Mid-America (Baptist Theological Seminary). It was a wonderful blessing to be able to have lunch with them and share with them the joys and challenges of serving in this area.

Nolen Pridemore, Chuck, and Dr. Floyd

We all had lunch together, Nolen & Sheila Pridemore, Dr. & Mrs. Floyd and The Hoskins family!

Mrs. Helen fixed Hope's hair at lunch. Here's hope admiring Mrs. Helen's work!

Mrs. Helen with Gracie

Hope, Abigail, and Gracie

2008-06-06T07:38:00.004-03:00

The other day all three of our little girls were playing dolls. It was so cute to see all three of my little babies playing together! We are so blessed that God has given us 3 AWESOME little girls. Each one is so unique in beauty and personality! We serve an incredible GOD OF WONDERS! The God who created each one of these little miracles and has allowed Chuck and I to care for them and teach them His Word. What a blessing!

Last Sunday...

2008-05-23T10:55:00.002-03:00

Chuck preached for the 2nd time in Portuguese at Igreja Batista Vila Aurea. Brasilians are so friendly! We ate lunch with the Associate Pastor, Pastor Manuel and his family! Lunch was wonderful and we had a great time. Take a look. (But please keep praying for our Portuguese to get A LOT better!)

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How we feel speaking Portuguese...

2008-05-22T23:55:00.001-03:00

Mother's Day attempt to sing

2008-05-17T08:12:00.005-03:00

They knew the songs in Portuguese that we'd practiced together all week before the preformance, but when it came time to sing in church, here's what happened...

Coffee & friends

2008-05-17T08:01:00.003-03:00

Abigail likes her coffee in the mornings! She will really do well here in this coffee-culture!

Hope, Gracie, Atani & Abigail
Atani is an answer to prayer. She speaks English and Portuguese and the girls just love her. Atani has been playing with the girls and teaching them Portuguese at the same time. I have been surprised how comfortable Hope has become speaking Portuguese since she's been around her new friend! Last week Antani taught Hope the vowel sounds in Portuguese and both Hope and Abigail proceeded to play chase around the house screaming Portuguese vowel sounds to each other!

Chuck Preaches in Portuguese (1st Time)

2008-05-08T09:58:00.003-03:00

Chuck gave a message on "Colheta Espiritual" (The Spiritual Harvest) to tell why starting new churches is important and how the existing churches should be involved in church multiplication.

He quoted Rick Warren: "We need all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people."

The harvest is ready!

He used:

Matt. 9:37 "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." and John 4:35 Jesus said, "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe for harvest."

He had a translator beside him to help when needed. He did a great job! Thanks for praying.

Here's a shot of Gracie watching him preach in Portuguese for the first time.

Our Little Gracie-bug

2008-05-06T22:02:00.002-03:00

We're Not in the Suburbs anymore...

2008-05-06T21:01:00.003-03:00

I am continually amazed at how it seems that all these little shops around us stay open - (that's because I'm a former "suburbanite".) But then I just look down the street and realize that there are literally thousands of people who live within a 4 block radius of my apartment.

This is the view from our balcony as I look down the street either way. Please pray that God would give us HIS strategy for how best to reach these apartment people for Christ!

Girls enjoying our balcony

2008-05-03T14:52:00.001-03:00

Pictures of the city of Guaruja

2008-05-03T14:11:00.004-03:00

A Favela on the mountain side

2008-05-03T13:30:00.004-03:00

Here are some shots of driving through the city on the way to our new home.

As we were coming over the mountain the morning we moved in, I also took some shots out the window of the car.

So Much To Do...

2008-05-03T13:13:00.002-03:00

Chuck bought himself a 2008 agenda/calendar and the girls decided they needed one to. So Dad kindly bought Barbie and Minnie Mouse agendas for Hope and Abigail so that they could keep track of all their things to do each day.

COOKIE DOUGH?

2008-04-03T10:04:00.004-03:00

Last week fellow missionaries babysat Hope and Abigail. They took them to Tae-Kwan-Do with their kids. Hope was so excited - she kept saying, "Mom - we went to COOKIE DOUGH!"

The teacher even showed the girls how to practice kicking the play turtle. They enjoyrd learning cookie dough!

Isabela is a popular name here

2008-04-02T20:26:00.004-03:00

Our friends Guto and Melissa were some of the first people who befriended us here in our neighborhood in Campinas. We've really enjoyed each other's company this past year. And Allison and Melissa both had babies named Isabela.

Melissa and her daughter Isabela and Allison and our daughter Isabela. Our Isabela is about 2 months older.

Melissa's husband, Guto with MY Isabela.

My girls - Abigail and Hope with THEIR Isabela.

We're Moving

2008-04-02T19:03:00.003-03:00

We're very excited to be moving to our field of ministry.

Here are some pictures of the trip we took last week to sign the documents on our new apartment.

We're looking forward to all the ministry opportunities we'll have here.

Most people live in high-rise apartment buildings here. It's quite a difference from the suburbs we both grew up in.

Here's our friend Vivi holding Gracie.

Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build My church." Please pray that He would use our family to bring people living in the Baixada Santista area to Him.

Easter Pix

2008-04-02T18:55:00.002-03:00

He is Risen!!! He is Risen Indeed!!!
That's why we're here.
Here are the girls on Easter morning.

GO TIGERS GO!!!

2008-04-02T18:16:00.005-03:00

BEFORE THE GAME PHOTO.....

Well - we're true blue Memphis Tiger fans (as University of Memphis Alumni) and new missionary Paul Cunninham - from Southaven, MS is a Mississippi State fan.

So - we all went over to their house to watch the game Memphis vs. Miss. State in basketball last week.

Here is the AFTER THE GAME photo!

We've really had a lot of fun together the few weeks we've spent with the Cunninghams here in language school. Please continue to pray for Paul, Keri, Katie, Preston, Pierce, and Payton during their time in Campinas for language study.

And here we are before the game - all of us sporting our Memphis Tiger wear. This was taken in front of the Cunninghams gate - and we all thought it looked neat because it kind of reminded us of standing in front of the gate at Graceland!!! (only...that was several years ago...and before we had kids...and the gate has no musical notes on it...but ya know, anything to remind us of home ;)

Bedtime Stories

2008-03-13T14:11:00.002-03:00

Our nightly ritual ususally includes the reading of stories. We usually let the girls pick out the books they want to read. We've found the Beginner's Bible to be a wonderful tool.

Here's a quick glimplse at Daddy, Hope, and Abby preparing for bed with a good Bible story!

Hope, Abigial, Isabela Grace

2008-03-13T13:46:00.004-03:00

Here is our favorite people group to minister to. Our 3 beautiful daughters. We've been memorizing scripture - one a week - we practice when we get up, throughout the day, and when we go to bed. God has truly blessed us! (Now just pray we remember this blessing as we wipe little bottoms & runny noses, referee Barbie Fashion Show fights, put on Dora the Explorer for the umpteenth time, and tuck them into bed - finally - after the hugs and kisses, the last bathroom break, the cup of cold water, and the bible stories)

Here's Abby............................................

And Hope.................................................
And Isabela Grace...............................(her fingers , or dedos in Portuguese, are her pacifier of choice!)

2007 Interclass Language Teachers

2008-03-07T22:21:00.003-03:00

Oi! Tudo Bem! (Hi, How ya doin')

This is a slide show of our last-day-of-class-luncheon! We've had a wonderful year learning Portuguese from these teachers. God has used them in our lives to bless us with some knowledge of the Portuguese language! And - we hope that God has used us in their lives to bring each one of them closer to HIM.

(The whole "Tower of Babble" thing really irks me sometimes - this would be a whole lot easier if we all spoke one language - but, as SIN would have it, that's not the way things worked out, thus we continue to emark on our journey to learn Portuguese in order to tell folks here the awesome and incredible plan God's offered us for salvation!)

Anyway - here are some pictures of our wonderful luncheon!

Elvis Has Left the Building...

2008-03-01T14:10:00.003-03:00

Elvis has left the Hoskins Family to help guard a new family. We loved her, she did her job, but seeing that we're moving to an apartment soon - and that Rottweilers are really not good apartment dogs, we prayed and prayed for a new family to adopt her! And thanks to a fellow missionary's help, Elvis now has a new home!

We said goodbye to her today - and the first thing the girls said after she left was - Mommy, now can we play in the backyard anytime we want?

Our Girls

2008-02-25T18:41:00.002-03:00

Santos Trip with MawMaw & PawPaw

2008-01-11T13:00:00.000-02:00

FUN IN THE SUN
We had a great time at the beach. We traveled to Santos to show the grandparents and to look for possible places to live. We looked at several apartments, found a few possibilities, and had a great lunch with potential team members and possible future language teachers. It was a good trip. And of course, while we were there, we HAD to go to the beach (Hope & Abby have been talking about returning since they went the first time last July). The girls love the beach and can't wait to move there. People in the Baixada Santista region are REALLY friendly. We really think we're going to enjoy serving there.
Please continue to pray:
1) Place to Live - good, safe, open floor plan, cool - (temperature wise), close to shopping, grocery stores, etc (within walking distance), area for kids to play
2) For us to find good friends that will patiently teach us about culture and language - honestly and openly.

The Hoskins Family at the beach in Santos.

Daddy & his girls

Shot of all the highrise apartments along the beachfront in Santos.
Isabela Grace at almost 3 months old.

Pawpaw & his newest grandaughter.

Hope's Musings

2007-12-23T02:07:00.000-02:00

WE CAN PRAY AT HOME
The preacher had run overtime last Sunday at church (by about 45 minutes) when Hope’s Sunday School teacher brought the kids out to the parents still sitting in the pews.

When Hope came to us, she whispered, “Mom, I’m ready to go home!”

I said, “He’s praying right now, we’re almost done.”

Hope looked at me with a classic teen-age look (although she’s only 4) and said with incredulity, “Mom, we can pray AT HOME!”

=========================================================
WE ATE ALL THE CHEESE
I was putting Hope to bed and reminding her of what we’d learned that day about angels. I said, “Now remember, Angels are messengers from….who?”

Hope proudly said, “Mary!”

“No, No, NO! The Angel was a messenger TO Mary FROM God,” I quickly emphasized.

“Oh Yeah, that’s right mom,” Hope said. “Mommy, tell me the story about Moses and the golden cow statue.”

I told her the story and she said, “Mom, sometimes it’s ok to pretend that statues are god.”

“NO! It’s Never OK to pretend that or even to think that,” I stated in a very FIRM voice.

I went on to explain to her that there is only ONE God, and that He is a jealous God. I told her about the 10 commandments and then started sharing the gospel message and God’s plan of salvation with my (by then) extremly sleepy and blurry-eyed 4-year-old.

I came to a point where I asked her if she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart. She slowly nodded yes and then sat quietly looking me right in the eye for several seconds. Then, with a big irresistible puppy-dog-eyes kind of look she very seriously said, “Mom, Abby and I ate all the cheese!”

I had to hold in a laugh and try not to smile to big, “That’s okay honey, we can buy more cheese at the store,” I assured her.

“But Mom, it’s all gone,” she said.

Again, I bit my tongue in effort not to laugh, “It’s ok honey. I love you. Good night and sweet dreams.”

Feliz Natal

2007-12-23T01:52:00.002-02:00

Merry Christmas

2007-12-23T01:46:00.001-02:00

Close-ups

2007-12-23T01:32:00.001-02:00

Dance of the Butterfly

2007-12-23T00:57:00.001-02:00

Isabela Grace

2007-12-02T16:50:00.000-02:00

Wow how time flies! Our newborn daughter is already 7 weeks old. Here are some pictures of how she's changed in just a few weeks!

Allison's Parents Visit

2007-12-02T16:13:00.000-02:00

We had a wonderful visit with Allison's parents during the month of November.

Here are some of the "Kodak Moments" from their stay in Brazil.

Granda & Patriarch enjoying their new "grand-darling".

The girls get their nails done:

Big sisters

Baby Dedication of Isabela Grace

Abby loved Granda's rollers and wanted to have some too!

Birth Story

2007-10-20T20:36:00.000-02:00

Well, as many of you know, Abigail Faith, our second daughter, was born 12 minutes after we arrived at the hospital. And, I've often heard that each pregnancy goes quicker, so...I did NOT expect to labor for 22 hours with the third one!

BUT - Isabela Grace, apparently, was perfectly content to stay where she was, in-utero! I had painless contractions for about 5 hours before Chuck and I decided we should go to the hospital to be checked out (just in case.) [with our other 2 dauthers we had waited until my water broke to go to the hospital - but we figured since Abigail had come so fast, that being in a new country and still learning the language - that we might ought to better our chances of having the baby IN the hospital.]

SO - We took Hope and Abigail to our missionary family's house and headed for the hospital - only to find out that Allison was only 1 cm dialted, even after having contractions for almost 7 hours. The ER doctor told us to go home and come back to check my progress in 3 hours. So, we did. Again, only 1 cm. SO - we were sent home for the night and told to go to the doctor in the morning, unless Allison's "bolsa rembrou" (water broke).

WELL - I guess I jumped the gun, but, I, Allison, thought my water had broken at 3am, so back to the hospital we went, only to find out that I was 2 cm and my water had NOT broken, but they admitted us into the hospital anyway.

FINALLY - at 9:30 am - after 21 1/2 hours of contractions and being dialted only to 5cm, we decided to allow the doctor to break my water and see if that would speed things along.

IT DID - Allison's contractions - still not painful - "fica mais forte" [became very strong] - so 15 minutes later, we headed down to the delivery room. Previously, we had to get a "prescription" from our Dr. that said that Chuck was allowed to be in the delivery room with me during the birth. We had made absolutely sure that this would happen to the best of our ability.

SO - when the hospital staff escorted Allison back to the delivery room alone, we both started praying majorly hard and got a bit nervous. As I, Allison, lay on the delivery room table, WITHOUT MY HUSBAND IN THE ROOM, I thought of what I'd told Chuck earlier. "If they don't let you back there, I'll just get up and walk out!" Well, remembering those words, I almost began to cry, because I realized that there was no way my body was going to let me get up and walk out in it's own power - I NEEDED MY MAN! Oh, how I prayed when I heard the nurses come in and tell the Dr. that Chuck wasn't going to be allowed back there with me. [Dr. Rosa was Awesome - she marched right out there - pulled rank - and brought Chuck back to me! - it turned out that although she'd been the one to write the "prescription" for Chuck to be with me, that she'd forgotten to use the correct "stamp" on the paper - ridiculous huh? So thanks to all of you who prayed with us for a smooth birth!]

ANYWAY - Once Chuck came back to be with me, everything was awesome! Although we were in a very sterile enviornment (surgery room - ABOUT 80 TO 90 % OF THE BIRTHS IN BRAZIL ARE DONE BY C-SECTION) they let us have our I-POD and Bose speakers to play George Winston's piano music to help sooth me during contractions! Pretty cool!

Chuck and I worked very closely together as a team in the delivery room. As soon as he came in there, he had me get off the table and walk around; which was great - working WITH gravity - and much less painful! My contractions were less than a minute apart and we'd walk around the delivery room and then I'd have a contraction and totally lean into Chuck and put ALL my body weight on him - he was totally supporting me! It was really cool - he talked me all the way through each contraction and I learned a new portugese phrase - "onda do mar" [wave of the ocean] which is how I referred to each contraction.

During this time, I heard one of the nurses ask Dr. Rosa "why" we were doing this? (I didn't know if she meant - why no anesthesia, no c- section, natural labor, or why we were working together so hard like we were, but I did understand very clearly Dr. Rosa's response} Dr. Rosa simply stated that this is the way "Americanos" like to do it - it's typical for Americans she said, It's popular there.

FINALLY - I got back up on the delivery room table - they tried to put my legs in stirups and tie them down - and I screamed and kicked and yelled NO! They looked worried and surprised and probably thought I was crazy at the moment, but they let me do it my way. And 3 or 4 pushes later, Isabela Grace was born!

It was so awesome! Dr. Rosa said that the way Chuck and I worked together to bring Isabela Grace here was beautiful! I can only hope it was a testimony of Godly love between a husband and wife - since my Portugese went out the window during that hour in the delivery room!

My husband is so wonderful! He is AWESOME! I respect and admire this man so much! I am so blessed to be his wife and to have had his children! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Baby Isabela Grace

2007-10-20T20:32:00.001-02:00

Isabela Grace is Here

2007-10-19T15:45:00.000-02:00

Isabela Grace Hoskins
Born: October 15, 2007 @ 11:01am
Weighing: 7 lbs 14.5 oz.
18.5" inches long

Baby Gracie was born after 22 Hours of Labor. (21 hours painless contractions, and the last hour Chuck and I worked HARD as an TEAM in the delivery room, then 3 or 4 pushes and...

Isabela Grace was born! It was incredible!
7 lbs 14.5 oz (3.6 Kilos)
18.5 inches long (47 cm)

A few hours old...Gracie has dark brown hair and dark blue eyes. (Just like both of her sisters did when they were born). BUT - she does have Allison's dark complexion - maybe she'll keep her dark hair.

Hope absolutely ADORES her new baby sister. She's been a big helper to mom and dad and LOVES to hold the baby.

Isabella Grace @ 34 in-utero

2007-10-08T11:19:00.000-03:00

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Allison & Dr. Rosa

2007-10-06T23:17:00.001-03:00

Here is the "BEFORE" picture of Allison, Isabella Grace (in-utero), and Dr. Rosa. Please pray with us that here in a few short weeks we can post an "AFTER" picture of Allison, Baby Gracie (in our arms), and Dr. Rosa .

Daddy's little soccer fans

2007-10-01T15:32:00.000-03:00

Chuck has been promoting soccer with both the girls. The other day he bought both girls a new soccer jersey. And last night in fact, before Hope went to sleep, Chuck took Hope in the living room and was teaching her about how to play soccer. Hope brought in several stuffed animals to play along with her on her team. Of course, it was a perfect photo / video opportunity - and I couldn't find my camara. But it was quite a scene - Chuck playing goalie (with a goal made of Elmo and princess chairs) against a team of stuffed animals led by his 4-yr-old daughter Hope!

Hope's 3 Birthday Parties

2007-10-01T14:47:00.000-03:00

Hope did in fact have 3 birthday parties.

#1 with missionary friends Emma Grace & Ethan Epps. [This was a spur of the moment party, only minutes before we took them back to the airport to fly back to Rio Branco, after their stay in Campinas since they came for Tiffany's delivery of their 3rd child, the birth of baby Evan.]

#2 with our Brazilian friends from church ( the "Swim Party")

#3 with our missionary family here in Campinas, Brasil
Hope at the park on birthday party #3

I made practice cakes for the first 2 parties, and the 3rd cake (which turned out much nicer) was made with the help of missionary friend Charlotte Whitley - who is into cake decorating.

"Big Abby" (left) as Hope refers to her missionary cousin, Abigail Lopez - whom she also attends preschool with and "Little Abby" (right) her little sister, Abigail Hoskins.

Our missionary family here in Campinas at Hope's #3 birthday party

Hope's Birthday

2007-09-23T18:27:00.001-03:00

Parabens pra voce (Happy Birthday)...to Hope

2007-09-23T17:30:00.001-03:00

Happy Birthday to Hope. She's now 4 years old! Amazing how time flies. Thankfully, God granted us with a wonderful family that shared with us in the joy of Hope's special day. This family goes to the church we've been attending. They were very gracious to invite us for lunch and swimming at their house. The girls had a grand time swimming, eating, and blowing out the candles. They helped to make Hope feel special today! What a blessing.

Please continue to pray that God would bless us with special friends that will help us:
1) Practice our language
2) Understand the culture
3) Step in as "surrogate" family

Gracie's Baby Shower

2007-09-10T17:23:00.001-03:00

Santos Exploration Trip

2007-09-08T14:01:00.001-03:00

Pictures from our first real "Exploration" of the Baixada Santista region, right on the coast of the State of Sao Paulo, Brasil. This is where we'll eventually end up after language school. Guy Key, another IMB missionary graciously spent his day showing us around the cities of Santos and Sao Vicente.

Check out our slide show below. Put your cursor over each picture to get more info about it.

Daddy & the Girls

2007-09-06T10:29:00.000-03:00

Pregnant Belly

2007-09-06T10:21:00.001-03:00

Allison at 8 months pregnant with 3rd little girl. We think we'll call her Isabella Grace. Due mid-October. If I was even better at the computer, I'd airbrush out my stretch marks!!!

Holombra Flower Festival

2007-09-06T10:01:00.000-03:00

We journeyed about an hour outside of Campinas to a city named Holombra last week. Their annual flower festival is the "big thing". There were a lot of Dutch settlers that held true to tradition. The girls had a great time. It was nice, beautiful flowers, but wore 8 month pregnant Allison out!

Abby very much enjoys the water, which is a good thing, seeing that we're moving to the coast in a few months.

Abby liked to circle the water fountain after lunch!

I tried to get a close-up shot of each girl, I'm not sure what this look is about from Hope! She had a great time too.

One of the workers gave Abigail a rose from one of the exhibits. She quickly smelled it's wonderful aroma.

Chuck and Hope had a free pass to slide down the slide on a carpet. (But as you can see, it didn't go as well as planned.)

The Ocean!!!

2007-08-02T15:14:00.000-03:00

Abigail and Hope loved the Ocean. Their first time to see the ocean was in Guaruja on Ensinada beach when we went in July for our first sight-seeing trip to the Baixada Santista region - where we'll be ministering after language school!

Piquie Niquie (Picnic)

2007-08-02T15:10:00.000-03:00

The girls and I spend an afternoon with Vivi and Priscilia having a picnic at the mission office. There is a small green patch of grass in the backyard of the mission schoo/office, and everytime we go there, the girls run to the backyard. Hope stated she wanted to have a picnic there sometime, so we delighted her and Abigail this day! They loved it!

Playing at the Playground

2007-07-07T00:22:00.000-03:00

4th of July

2007-07-06T23:20:00.000-03:00

1513

AGM -Annual General Meeting - Brazil

2007-07-06T23:04:00.000-03:00

We just returned from AGM today. Had a great time! Lots of food, fun, and fellowship (as any good Southern Baptist would do).
Here are some snapshots!

God cares about even the tiniest detail

2007-06-24T17:57:00.000-03:00

Before we left the USA, we sold the girls plastic play yard. (Looking back, I wish we'd crated it. But, oh well.) We were given another one this week - to use while we're in Campinas! Pretty cool. God cares even about the smallest details.

Language School Video

2007-06-19T16:50:00.000-03:00

Here's Chuck in Language Class!

IT'S A GIRL

2007-06-19T16:23:00.000-03:00

Our next little one, to be born mid-October is expected to be a girl! PLEASE continue to pray for mother and baby throughout the pregnancy!

Abigail

2007-06-19T15:51:00.001-03:00

Abby's really growing fast. Her favoirte book at the moment is, "I'm a Big Sister". She can almost repeat every line of the book. She loves the fact that soon she'll have a little sister too!

Girls at a birthday party

2007-06-19T15:37:00.000-03:00

Below are the pictures of our family and the girls playing at the 4 Anniversario (4th birthday) of one of Hope's friends from school!

Abigail loved air-hockey. Allison put her up on the table so she could better make a goal! She would scoot down to one end and put the puck in the goal herself, and then raise her arms and yell,"GOAL!"

One of the funny things that happened that night was that Hope went right into the party, handed the little boy his present from her and had him open it right there - culture however, says that no presents be opened at the party and that the child opens them later at home! Oh well, we apologized, and thankfully our friend Guto said, "No problem, kids will be kids." It got really funny though, when this little girl saw that Leo had opened Hope's present, so she went and go the one she'd given Leo and opened it herself, right there in front of him!

A Box of all things...

2007-06-03T17:35:00.000-03:00

Of all the toys and things we brought from home to "comfort" our girls during this transition in language and culture, the thing they like to play with most is... A BOX!

The box that the TV came in! They enjoy it almost daily!

Rain or Shine

2007-06-03T17:28:00.000-03:00

The girls love to play with their umbrella. It's a good things too, it's a lot more rainy down here right now!

Obedience

2007-06-03T17:26:00.000-03:00

Well, Abby certainly was obedient this day. I told her we needed to go get in the bath. So...she did! Immediately! Clothes and all.

Sisters

2007-06-03T17:23:00.000-03:00

Hope and Abby are truly enjoying on another's company. It's really neat to see them get to the stage where they really play together!

Brazilian Friends

2007-06-03T17:18:00.000-03:00

These are the first Brazilian guests we have had in our home! We were so excited to host a dinner this past week with our new Brazilian friends. Please pray that God would lead more Brazilians into our lives for us to befriend during our time here in Campinas.