Over the past few years, being a part of a Brazilian/American church and having datws a Brazilian for these past few months, I’ve found myself rapidly changing. Not in any weird or strange sort of way, but this cross-cultural experience has helped me grow into who I’m meant to be. So even though I’m still very young and have lots to learn and I’m still figuring out just day to day life, its still worth mentioning just the small amount that I have learned.

On the list of all-important things, God is first, second is family. Now, being a homeschooled girl, I know how big a thing both are – I spend more time with my family in a few days than most do in a week. Where some families struggle to sit down and share a meal my family shares everything but meals together. And it seems they also take family as seriously as mine does, and maybe a step further.

I remember back in the teen years we’d all want to hang out, chill around at a friends house, go out and about and just all be together. But the hardest part was getting permission from the pastors to let their son come along with us. Where it seemed 7/10 times it was a no, and to most of my friends it was really annoying to hear. But to me I understood even at a young age that family was more important than friends at times, and even I take a step back from a night out just to stay and be with my family.

Yet I know full well that others aren’t so lucky as to have much of a family life. Be it a divorce or death, or just parents and siblings not getting along. Many of my closest friends come from broken homes. Where one friend almost refuses to stay at home for more than a few hours another finds it hard to leave the quiet of their room. But it really seems that they are the ones who are really drawn to mine and my Pastors family.

Because both share one really big thing in common: we open our arms to everyone and make them a part of the family. Because its one thing to have a close-knit family who just enjoys being with one another, but to be able to open your doors and to make others feel like they are at home even if they don’t have much of a home. To feel comfortable talking with your parents or playing video games with your siblings. And more importantly, to feel loved and cared for.