Hello everyone. I encourage you to take a look at this by clicking on the "link" symbol in the bottom left corner:

http://wordoutreach.homestead.com/BrazilJune06.html

Word Outreach International is a ministry that has assistd us in Brazil, and here in the USA. Thanks Rudy and Shelly.

Hey everybody. This has to be the best looking baby in the world!!!!! I'm not conceited. Just a proud grandpa.

Pre-school kids are so fun! They love seeing our artifacts from when we lived in the Amazon. Something about that 11 ft long boa skin. Hard to imagine that today we live in one of the world's most advanced cities, where technology abounds. But, still, kids are kids not matter where you go.

The Brazil Turleys have been busy teaching some very special classes at Christian Academy, Louisville, KY. First, we spoke in two elementary chapels, then two mission classes. Then we had an opportunity to speak in five senior bible classes about one of our very "fav" topics, SEX.

That's right, we encourage all young people to abstain from sex until that special day called marriage. Without preaching a sermon we share how soooooo many have come to us here in the US and Brazil, some wanting to commit suicide, because of the guilt, shame, and depression that is caused by "going all the way" before they were ready to go even a little.

How is it that modern day man/woman thinks that just because we have the pill, or the day after, or abortion, or other technological and medical advances that we have the right to break "God given" codes of conduct. Are we so naive to believe that depression, anger, guilt, shame, and other emotional, physical, and even physiological problems are NOT caused because we broke God's codes. We may have an antidote, or a vaccine, or a cure for a number of things, but my research shows that depression and suicide among teens is on the rise, and that there is not any medical, nor social cure for that. We are convinced that one of the only ways to turn the depression/anger/guilt/shame/and yes, even suicide tides running rampant in this society is to guard what has been reserved for a marriage commitment, that is, SEX ONLY AFTER MARRIAGE. P.S. That includes all shapes/forms/and fashions of sex as well.

If you are new to our blog, or just checking in after a lull, you will see that we have had some recent excitement in our lives, mainly the birth of our first grandson, Hayden Thomas Turley. That's the proud mama, Jessica, with the little Turley, just 4 days old at church. He did great, and so did Jessica. Josh and Jessica are great parents, and will do a wonderful job raising our grandson. Hey Josh, when can we expect grandchild number two??? That's all of us on Feb 11 , 2007

The Brazil Turleys are always willing to share what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do in our lives. Doesn't matter the size, or age of the group. It never ceases to amaze us just how God can, and does use us when we share.

One thing we have prayed for our own lives and ministry is that God would use us as His instruments of praise and glory. If we can encourage a small child to one day be a missionary; a teen to keep his life pure in order to serve God; a parent to be the example for his child; a mother to pray that God would use her child; and for all to consider just how great our God is, and that He is worthy of all we have, all we are, and all we could ever give, then we have done all that we can for the Glory of God!

Family is very important to us, and since we don't get around family as often as we like, about every 4 years or so, we try to be together as much as possible when we are in the USA.

My Grandma, Audrey Rice Turley, has been a heroine of mine since I was small. She has been a widow since 1963. I remember well the Sunday morning my "Pawpaw" died. Grandma has been a pillar of faith, fun, and family all these years.

This past January she celebrated her 98th birthday. We wanted to do something for her, so a number of family members took her to a local restaurant, near Cross Lanes, WV, where she resides. I told her I wanted to pay. She said, "Tommy, I'm not very hungry." Well, I'm glad it was a buffet type place, because she ate 4 plates full. Glad she wasn't hungry!!!!. Charity forgets to call her "Great" Grandma. One time she just called her "Old" grandma. With Hayden Thomas she becomes "Great Great" Grandma. HOPE TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE 100 GRANDMA.

During our travels we have also spent some time with others...Uncle David, Uncle Ron and Aunt Sarah, Uncle Jim and Aunt Talma, Uncle Jess and Aunt Donna. Diana was able to spend some good quality time with her family.

These past few weeks the Brazil Turleys have had wonderful opportunities to share about our love for Brazil, and about God's love for us. Not only have we shared in some of our supporting churches, but in schools and church ministries as well. It is amazing how much attention that 11 feet long boa-constrictor skin draws; not to mention Diana's little tarantula spider, cockroach, and other little things from the Amazon (all preserved of course).

God has been faithful with fruit for our labors. Seven decisions for Christ Jesus have been recorded since we began our home assignment in Oct. Pray for more fruit that will remain.

WOW!!!! WE ARE GRANDPARENTS...

Hayden Thomas Turley was born Feb 7, 2007, at 12:59PM (that's afternoon) weighing 8lbs 6 oz, and 20 1/2 inches in length. The proud parents, Joshua and Jessica, will have more pics on their site www.turleysonline.com

Joshua and Jessica moved into a new home in November, 2006. We are in the missions house of Cedar Creek Baptist Church, Louisville, KY. Josh and Tom helped finish the basement of his new house. Our home is beside the church, and just 5 minutes form Josh and Jessica.

We kicked off the Christmas Season in Lynchburg, VA with Debra, Diana's sister. Tom's brother-in-law, Ron Grimes sings with the Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet, and they had a special part in "The Living Christmas Tree" at Thomas Rd. Baptist Church. What a spectacular event it was. WOW! Good job Ron, and the rest of the cast.

Without Keegan and Cindy I don't know how the celebration, baby shower, and even our lives would have made it. Cindy was making plans, buying guaraná, among other things, and running all over the place for us, even before we arrived back in he USA. Keegan, thanks for the wonderful pictures. Thanks to the both of you we have many wonderful memories, not just of our celebration, but of the past 25 years. Thanks for being Godly examples for us.

Joshua and Jessica will soon be giving Tom and Diana their first grandson. That's right....we are going to be "Grandma" and "Grandpa". Nothing like a baby shower to get things started out right.

Without the help of family and friends our silver celebration would not have been a success. These two families, the Tanners and the Collis', were most helpful with decorations, props, and their overall "is there anything we can do" attitudes. Thanks so very much!