It's been a hard week. Can you tell from my posts or the lack thereof? I've been relating to Habakkuk, "How long? O Lord." I've been taking some time off to pray, and I kind of got forced into that, - the taking time off thing. But the prayer has been good.
I'm just waiting now for the revelation.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Too Busy To Cry
I really just wanted a good cry when I left the office today to come home for lunch. Something I have been dreading for the last 9 months is actually starting to happen and, although I know it is for the best, I really just wanted a good cry over it.
But by the time I went to the bank, worked at our Primary school, went to the stationary store, walked by my house construction, stopped to ask (for the 10th time) if my nieces' school uniforms were ready (I did shed a tear around this point), worked at our Pre-Primary school and then got a call from our General Contractor that I needed to decide on all my plumbing fixtures for the house -today. I was just too wiped out to cry.
Maybe I'll work it out before bed.
But by the time I went to the bank, worked at our Primary school, went to the stationary store, walked by my house construction, stopped to ask (for the 10th time) if my nieces' school uniforms were ready (I did shed a tear around this point), worked at our Pre-Primary school and then got a call from our General Contractor that I needed to decide on all my plumbing fixtures for the house -today. I was just too wiped out to cry.
Maybe I'll work it out before bed.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Listening
I've been listening to people a lot lately. Not that I didn't listen before, but ... it's been pretty constant this past week. Maybe that's why I haven't been blogging as much.
Everybody has woes, don't they?
The following is something my Aunt Bet forwarded to me a long time ago, but I think of it often.
A young man was at the end of his rope, seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear." The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish." The man was filled with relief and said, "Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told. Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses; some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. The Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."
Everybody has woes, don't they?
The following is something my Aunt Bet forwarded to me a long time ago, but I think of it often.
A young man was at the end of his rope, seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear." The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish." The man was filled with relief and said, "Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told. Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses; some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. The Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."
Around
I did actually return from Chicklee.
We had a great time, O. and I both love getting out on the "field."
We had a great time, O. and I both love getting out on the "field."
Friday, June 13, 2008
Missing Sundays
I think I've attended church maybe twice in the last month and a half. This is a real blow to a church junky like me. I love church. I hate missing, but it's just been one of those months (and a half).
Our trip to Goa last month had us traveling by train - going and coming - on Sundays. Later in the month we were in Rajasthan and came home on a Sunday. Last Sunday was Dinesh's wedding in the morning - sort of like church but not really. And this week... well, as they say over here, we're "out of station" again.
This time we won't be traveling, we'll be preaching. We've been invited to meetings being held in a village in the south of our state that's about five hours away from us. The meetings start at 8:30AM and go til afternoon. We're looking forward to it, pray for us and for the meetings. The name of the village is "Chicklee." I just like to say it as often as possible.
* This is a side note: I just realized after posting the previous post that O. is currently in Rajasthan performing a wedding ceremony... Ai yi yi
Our trip to Goa last month had us traveling by train - going and coming - on Sundays. Later in the month we were in Rajasthan and came home on a Sunday. Last Sunday was Dinesh's wedding in the morning - sort of like church but not really. And this week... well, as they say over here, we're "out of station" again.
This time we won't be traveling, we'll be preaching. We've been invited to meetings being held in a village in the south of our state that's about five hours away from us. The meetings start at 8:30AM and go til afternoon. We're looking forward to it, pray for us and for the meetings. The name of the village is "Chicklee." I just like to say it as often as possible.
* This is a side note: I just realized after posting the previous post that O. is currently in Rajasthan performing a wedding ceremony... Ai yi yi
The Weddings Are Over. For Now.
My dad asked me on the phone last night if we had a wedding every week over here. I said, "No, sometimes we have three a week."
It's been in the national news that this year has more weddings than ever before, and it's true. But, I think our string of weddings is over for a while. I have a couple guys who are left unmarried and we're working on finding wives for them (arranged marriages...)
One of our pastors wants us to come visit his native place and has been bugging forever. I've promised him I'll come for his marriage. He's been diligently searching for a girl but, suffice to say - he's WAY too picky.
It's been in the national news that this year has more weddings than ever before, and it's true. But, I think our string of weddings is over for a while. I have a couple guys who are left unmarried and we're working on finding wives for them (arranged marriages...)
One of our pastors wants us to come visit his native place and has been bugging forever. I've promised him I'll come for his marriage. He's been diligently searching for a girl but, suffice to say - he's WAY too picky.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Marathi Me
Family members, close relations and good friends get gifts from the bride and groom at weddings. Our friend/brother, Dinesh, gave us all clothes before the wedding and that's what we wore to the wedding. See next post for gift giving picture.
Dinesh asked me beforehand if I would wear the traditional Maharashtrian dress at his wedding and I said sure. This consists of a 9 meter saree instead of a 5 meter saree and the saree is passed through the legs and tucked up in the back. I've never worn it like this but he had his auntie put it on me and so here I am. I was highly amusing to everyone who saw me (possibly because only old ladies wear their sarees this way anymore, possibly because I am American, or quite possibly because you could see my underwear through the thin material of the saree), but Dinesh was happy and it was his day.
O. also agreed to wear the traditional "dhoti" and he looks great in it.
Dinesh asked me beforehand if I would wear the traditional Maharashtrian dress at his wedding and I said sure. This consists of a 9 meter saree instead of a 5 meter saree and the saree is passed through the legs and tucked up in the back. I've never worn it like this but he had his auntie put it on me and so here I am. I was highly amusing to everyone who saw me (possibly because only old ladies wear their sarees this way anymore, possibly because I am American, or quite possibly because you could see my underwear through the thin material of the saree), but Dinesh was happy and it was his day.
O. also agreed to wear the traditional "dhoti" and he looks great in it.
Karnataka Wedding
I spent three of the last four days in the car. We left Friday morning for Karnataka and reached on Saturday afternoon. Attended a wedding on Sunday morning, visited our Maharashtra and Karnataka Pastors and then left for home. I have a few amusing stories about it all, but I'll write them later. For now, the pictures.
At least we went with our good friends Anoop and Bindu and their boys. Many (and I mean many) long hours were passed playing cards in the car. Here we are in the bright sun getting our "wedding gifts."
The only somewhat decent picture I have of the new couple (Dinesh and Jyoti)
The wedding guests - sitting in the mud.
The bride.
The rings.
At least we went with our good friends Anoop and Bindu and their boys. Many (and I mean many) long hours were passed playing cards in the car. Here we are in the bright sun getting our "wedding gifts."
The only somewhat decent picture I have of the new couple (Dinesh and Jyoti)
The wedding guests - sitting in the mud.
The bride.
The rings.
Dinner
Last week we had fish for dinner. This is what I saw when I went to clean the fish.
Here's lookin at you.
Here's lookin at you.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Wedding In Far Far Away
We are leaving tomorrow for the wedding of one of our former Bible Students, now pastor/ good friend, Dinesh. It's in a village on the border of the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. It will take twenty hours to drive there. We leave Friday and hope to be back Monday - whirlwind trip.
Archaeological Discovery
Look what was dug up just a few miles from our house. I don't know what it is, but it's pretty cool. The government hasn't come in and taken over yet so we can go right on over to it.
Apparently, they were digging and found some steps leading down and they dug them out to see what they would find.
Cool gate.
Apparently, they were digging and found some steps leading down and they dug them out to see what they would find.
Cool gate.
Ordinated
Ordination Picture. Nine pastors were ordained while we were in Rajasthan last month. Here we are in our ordination outfits.
*While talking to my mother on the phone about the pastor ordination, I said, "The pastors are going to be - what do you called that?. Ordinated?"
"Ordained." She replied.
Ah, you don't use it, you lose it. English, that is.
*While talking to my mother on the phone about the pastor ordination, I said, "The pastors are going to be - what do you called that?. Ordinated?"
"Ordained." She replied.
Ah, you don't use it, you lose it. English, that is.
Marble Marble Everywhere
Indian floors are made of marble or stone. While in Rajasthan we went searching for flooring for our house that's being built (and kitchen counters). Every color I liked was sandstone and not suitable for floors. We did find a few colors we liked and O. will be going back in a couple weeks to put in the final order.
Just so much marble to choose from...
Just so much marble to choose from...
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Too Hot To Blog
I am the excuse queen when it comes to not blogging. Actually, I have a standard that I like to upkeep of quality and regularity in my posting. When I fall short, well, you get an excuse post like this onew.
But it really is too hot to blog or do anything on the computer. I am overdue for an annual newsletter and since I only have time to work on the computer in the afternoons and evenings - it's just not getting done. Way way too hot.
I'm also feeling disturbed today. I got an email telling me about friends of ours who also work like us in India but are currently in the US, saying that they were in a terrible car accident. The wife just had a baby by C-section 3 weeks ago. By God's grace they all survived with broken bones and bruises. But it's had me feeling weird all day. Then the people who live behind us were piping the water out of our water tank for a roof they were putting on and they didn't even ask.
I just had to go out back, pull the pipe out in front of them and tell them that this is not common neighborhood water and you should ask people first before stealing from them. Hrmf.
But it really is too hot to blog or do anything on the computer. I am overdue for an annual newsletter and since I only have time to work on the computer in the afternoons and evenings - it's just not getting done. Way way too hot.
I'm also feeling disturbed today. I got an email telling me about friends of ours who also work like us in India but are currently in the US, saying that they were in a terrible car accident. The wife just had a baby by C-section 3 weeks ago. By God's grace they all survived with broken bones and bruises. But it's had me feeling weird all day. Then the people who live behind us were piping the water out of our water tank for a roof they were putting on and they didn't even ask.
I just had to go out back, pull the pipe out in front of them and tell them that this is not common neighborhood water and you should ask people first before stealing from them. Hrmf.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
If It's Any Consolation...
...I haven't been sleeping much lately either. Plenty 'O time to sleep (and blog) when we're dead! Alright, most probably I won't be blogging when I'm dead (or sleeping for that matter) but think of all the wonderful new blog topics we would have...
Busy. Yes, that's me. School starts next Monday and we've been working hard on getting teachers trained as well as everything else the beginning of school entails. Not to mention I now manage a store. Or that I took Saturday afternoon off to go see "Indiana Jones and the really fake looking Crystal Skull"*. Or having church friends over for dinner because their job is transferring them to another state, or having our Mission Director's mother in the hospital and her going for open heart surgery tomorrow, weddings, four (don't ask) children, a clogged drain pipe and a really dirty house.
Good night for heaven's sake.
* In Hindi - Like I have time to travel two hours away to see it in English
I just noticed I wrote "Indian" Jones - Twice!
Busy. Yes, that's me. School starts next Monday and we've been working hard on getting teachers trained as well as everything else the beginning of school entails. Not to mention I now manage a store. Or that I took Saturday afternoon off to go see "Indiana Jones and the really fake looking Crystal Skull"*. Or having church friends over for dinner because their job is transferring them to another state, or having our Mission Director's mother in the hospital and her going for open heart surgery tomorrow, weddings, four (don't ask) children, a clogged drain pipe and a really dirty house.
Good night for heaven's sake.
* In Hindi - Like I have time to travel two hours away to see it in English
I just noticed I wrote "Indian" Jones - Twice!
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