Gracelyn Sparks

We have just recently started Portuguese class. We are using a technique called iceberg. An iceberg is 80% under the water and 20% above the water. So for the next 2 weeks we won't speak at all. We're only pointing and holding and doing actions like walk, run, jump, etc. Our teacher will ask where something is or tell us to do something in Portuguese, and we will do it, or at least try to do it.😏 So far we have 126 words down in Portuguese. We have 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon. Later! -Gracie

We are finally in Mozambique! Our house is really neat, and we are right on the beach. This spring you are probably getting weather temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees. We are getting 80s and 90s. it's hard to believe, but we're finally here! Since most people in Mozambique need jobs, they work as houseworkers and guards. We have a houseworker that comes in the day, and a guard that comes at night. Tomorrow, Sunday, we are going to a Portuguese church and going snorkeling. On Monday we start language classes. Things have been really awesome here! But we do miss our friends and family. Bom Dia!

As I write, we are currently in the Dulles airport in Washington D.C. We have already flown on our first flight from Oklahoma to D.C., and now we are waiting in our gate to board our flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. After a 5-6 hour layover in the Dulles airport, we are ready to head out. This flight will take 17-18 hours, and we will then adjust to the time zone tomorrow. By the time we get to Johannesburg, it will be 4:45 p.m. there and 10:45 a.m. here. Not to much jet lag. This post was quick, but I wanted to give you guys a heads up. See you later!

Okay guys, I don't have that many things to say in this post, but I have some big news! We are officially leaving on Tuesday the 17th. Now that we know when we're going, it's kind of strange because it's like man, we're really doing this! I'm not really a crier, but I'm pretty sure that when we leave, a tear or two may leak out. 😬😬 As we're saying goodbyes, I've been asking myself why our family? What can God do with a family of 7 with two, seven, eleven, twelve, and fourteen year old kids? Well if I didn't learn anything in training, I learned that God can use anyone. Wether a family of 3 or a family of seven. We are so close to getting to Africa, it seems unreal. Like, it's kind of weird to think that hey, you are moving overseas to Africa !!! Wow! You know, I shouldn't be upset or nervous about moving to Africa, I should be honored ! I thank you guys for all your support and love. One more thing, I can't stand to be quiet anymore...

Hello everyone! Today is a very special day because it is my birthday! 😆😆😂 We have moved to the other mission house, it has 3 rooms. It isn't as big as the other mission house, but we are grateful to have one. God has really answered our prayers this week. Yesterday, we received our visas! Hurray! We are currently waiting on our plane tickets, and we should hopefully be leaving by next week! I'm so happy that God is answering our prayers and helping us every step along the way! Today I am turning 11! I don't feel older, but we'll see what happens. Since my dad put this link on Facebook, I'm really happy to write to an audience this time. As for prayer requests, you can pray that  God will help us to get our tickets quickly, because it is kind of hard to get plane tickets for a family of 7. Thank you guys for reading my posts, it means so much to me to know that you care! Thank you guys!                           ...

Hey guys! Happy Easter! We have now finished training! However, because of a VISA delay and another delay, we are not yet on the mission field. 😥😥😭 But, the good part is, we get to spend more time with family! We have been staying in the mission house that we stayed in before, but we are now moving to another mission house on account of some other missionaries needing this house. Today we are packing up and heading to that house. So much has happened these past few weeks in Oklahoma. For example, I got my ears pierced last week, I got a tooth pulled Monday, and yes, oh yes, I'm getting glasses. They should arrive on Friday. It's been so much fun seeing all of our friends, but I know that we won't be delayed forever, and sooner or later we will have to say goodbye. But anyway, I'm excited for this next week because this coming Saturday is Judah's birthday, Wednesday is mom's birthday, and Thursday is, dun dun dun duuuuun, my birthday! 😂😂😜 I will be 11! My d...