The 24th Annual LIMIAR Reunion was held on August 1-3 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford . Thirty-four families came together to celebrate our commonality…enjoying a taste of our Brazilian heritage through music, food, games, dance, and a myriad of other fun-filled activities. From the sports activities and crafts on Friday afternoon through to our thanksgiving and praise service followed by brunch Sunday morning, old friendships were renewed and new ones were created. We opened our hearts and arms to two new LIMIAR families and encouraged others who are waiting.

The group shared some special activities together…learning a bit of forro at the dance, swimming, and of course our Saturday evening “LIMIAR’s Got Talent.” At this gathering, awards were given, the young ones performed a Capoeira presentation, a young man worked wonders with the Rubik’s Cube, beautiful musical performances by some of our teens, a memorable family skit, and ending with a bit of a mess with whipped cream! Joe Ridgell won the Parent Stylin’ Award for the best Brazilian outfit…two years running. We need to step up the competition next year! Our Saturday evening Brasilian dinner (feijoida this year) was deliciously prepared by Bradford ’s Chef Justin! We closed out Saturday evening with our traditional bonfire…with s’mores, of course!

We also spent part of the weekend with age appropriate activities. Parents were able to “get away” together for parent workshops, followed by an invaluable time of connecting in small discussion groups to support one another with their joys and challenges. The younger children enjoyed a scavenger hunt, capoeira, and a Festa Juninha celebration. We hear the homemade ice cream was a delicious success as well. Our teens had fun at CLUB LIMIAR, their yearly “Teen Talk” with Luciana and Lino, a late night swim, and showed come great competitive spirit in “The Amazing Race - Brazilian Style”. (Cucumbers, anyone???) And of course, they had plenty of free time for socializing!

Next year will be the 25th Annual LIMIAR Reunion, which will again take place at the Bradford campus. To celebrate our 25th reunion, we will be extending the weekend. Check-in will be available Thursday evening after 5:00pm. We will have two full days of activities (Friday, July 31st and Saturday, August 1st), with our usual Sunday morning service and brunch. We are hoping that many LIMIAR families who may not have attended the reunion for a few years will be able to join us for this special celebration. Many LIMIAR adoptees are now grown, some with families of their own. Many parents are now empty –nesters who have moved on into different areas in life. We’d love to have as many people as possible join us for this historic anniversary. Let’s come together and commemorate the work begun by Stu and Nancy Cameron over 25 years ago!

Look for updates and information periodically throughout the coming months. If you are not on the email list or need to update your information, contact Doni and Beth LaRock at blarock2@rochester.rr.com. If you have ideas and suggestions for the upcoming reunion, please forward them to the LaRocks as well.