I Can't Wait To See Them!

I had a different "Thankful 30" planned since yesterday.  But as I was starting to write down what I was thankful for, I saw a picture of my sweet baby nephew, Levi, and then another picture of my other nephew, Kai, and felt a huge amount of thankfulness and love for them.  Therefore, today, day 5, I am thankful for my nieces and nephews! =)

Kai:  He is the oldest and an only child to my sissy, Alissa.  He is one of a kind in the sweetest way possible (sweet as in "awww").  God definitely blessed us with a little boy full of heart and love for others.  His awareness of others and giving spirit seems to come naturally (most of the time).  He is so much fun and loves sports.  He would always love coming to watch me play basketball in high school and after the game he would throw down a pretty nice game of (invisible) basketball himself.  Love it!

Alaina:  I don't think I could ever express the love I have for this little girl.  Of course I love all of my nieces and nephews but Alaina's jolly, goofy spirit just gets me every time.  Definitely the most cheerful person I know.  I think the fact that she has cerebral palsy makes me even more amazed at her view on life.  I love it!  The fact that I cannot cuddle her sweet self right now brings tears to my eyes.

Addie:  Oh.My.Man.  Where to start with this little one?  Maybe with the word, adorable!  She just has that sweet little girl, "I am a princess" role.  One of my favorites things is the fact that she loves art.  I think almost every day she colors/draws at least one picture.  I am excited to see her artistic ability grow.  Although at times she chooses to be hurtful with her words, I have found that often she loves to make people feel special (with words, pictures, etc.).  I love her face when you can tell she's trying not to smile (and of course I love it when she's smiling big too!).

Levi:  I have no words.  I love him so much.  I never knew it was possible to love a baby who does pretty much nothing so much!  I can't explain it but I would carry him around all day if I could.  He is such a great baby too.  Hardly ever cries unless he's hungry or dirty.  Gotta love it.  I am super sad that I'm missing these "baby months," but I am glad I have a wonderful sister who is kind enough to hold him in camera view each time we skype. =) (thanks Trish!)

 I love them all so much!  Thank you Jesus for your wonderful blessings you have given me...all four of them.


Hakuna Matata

We're Pretty Much Friends

Every morning I am faced with a decision.  And almost every morning I make the same choice.  The question I have to answer is simply this, "Do I leave 10-15 minutes early and walk all the way to the bus stop, or do I leave 10-15 minutes later and catch a rickshaw?"

Lately I have been thoroughly enjoying my mornings and so you can understand when I tell you that I have been taking an auto (rickshaw) so I can have 10 more minutes with God either reading, or worshiping.  Valid right?...time spent with God.  I think, yes! =)

When I ride in an auto to the bus stop I still have to walk about 10 or so minutes to the auto stand (unless an empty one passes me on the way there which I pray for EVERY morning).  The autos are then lined up across the round-about and instead of walking over there myself, I have become quite fond of making eye contact with one of the drivers with a smile and a head nod. 

This morning, however, there was no need for eye contact, or even a smile and head nod (but I smiled anyways).  In fact, there was no need to even tell the driver my final destination, I only said a confident, "Thirty rupees?" and got in the auto.  I could not help but laugh inside about the fact that I am now a "regular" in the auto world...we're pretty much friends. =) 

And this, my friends, is what your typical auto rickshaw looks like...

Now onto me being thankful...

Day 4:  I am thankful for the places I have been.  God has blessed me so much already in the places He has allowed me to travel...most of them being specified for His glory (which I guess every place should be for His glory, right?).  Kenya, India, Holland (don't be fooled, it's Holland, Michigan), Canada, inner city Philadelphia, West Virginia...oh how I love going to new places.  Thank you Jesus and I can't wait to see where you will be taking me next. =)


Hakuna Matata

Catching Up

I am a couple days late but am excited to join the "Thankful 30" from Janel's blog. =)  I found out about this through Amber's blog and I just love this idea.

Day one:  I am thankful for friends.  On this day I was blessed enough to skype with a dear friend of mine.  We chatted for over 3 hours but it felt like less.  I love talking with her.  A lot of our conversations are always about Jesus and either what He is doing is our lives, how we want to be more like Him and serve Him, or lifting each other up spiritually.  It was great because we also just got to "hang out" it felt like.  Kind of talking about nothing but not feeling like our convo. was lacking.  I love it.  I am super blessed with friends and I praise my Father for that!

Day 2:  I am thankful for JESUS! =)  Self-explanatory?  I think yes.  But I will go on to say that this past week has been hard and draining in ministry.  I love how good Jesus is though.  He is so strong and takes great delight in filling me back up after a day of pouring myself out.  He is wonderful.  I have found massive comfort in Him many times and especially the past few days.  I love that fact that He has already seen this month and all that it will hold for me.  That brings me comfort a Father brings to His little girl. =)  And that is exactly what has happened/is happening.  Thank you Jesus for being all that I need and more.  Help me when I think you are not enough for me...because you are more than enough for me and I don't deserve you.

Day 3:  I am thankful for hot showers!  Yes indeed I am.  I have realized this more and more over the past weeks due to the fact that not all my showers here are hot...actually, not all my showers here are even warm or withstandable (yet somehow I withstand them)!  I had the wonderful priviledge tonight of taking a shower that I actually had to add cold water to because it was burning me! =) Ahhh it was soooo nice.  Yes, I am thankful for hot showers, very thankful.

Hakuna Matata!

A Day Worth Documenting

Twas indeed.  A little over a week ago I just had the bomb day.

It was my off day (starting off great already) and I had an unexpected skype convo. with my dear friend, Katie.

During that skype call, Martin (a man who works here at the guest house) came inside with a nice big package with my name on it...literally. =)  It was from my Momma and it only took one short week to arrive.  Wow, two thumbs way up for India's air mail (this time at least)!  Inside was complete with many goodies, including, but not limited to...skittles, a note from my sissy, a picture of a childhood friend, a stubby bottle of Sprite (America has stubby bottles, did you know?), and Cheetos.  Dang girl!

 

Later in the day I made a nice little trip to the market to pick up some veggies and let me tell you...the market's a steal!  I bought 8 bananas, 3 green peppers, 4 cucumbers, and 2 pineapples for a grand total of around $2.40.  I likey.  I also am going to feel totally ripped off when I go back to the states and buy one pineapple for $2.40!  Sheesh!  If only I could pack the market in my suitcase...

I probably am also going to feel so unimportant when I come back as well.  When walking through the market I constantly hear, "Yes Madam?" "Yes Madam?" "Yes Madam?"  And reply with, "Hi Sir."  "No thank you, Sir."  "So nice, Sir."  It's great.


Last but not least, let me introduce to you my sweet dinosaur that travels the world with me like a faithful dinosaur does.  It represents my friend, Katie (same friend I skyped with on this particular day).  I bought two dinosaur key chains before I left for Kenya last year...one representing Katie (the one on my backpack), and the other representing me (that one is on her backpack!).  When wearing my backpack and finding myself in a troublesome situation I like to remind myself, "Katie's got my back!" =)  Anyways, Jurassic Park must be a popular film here in India because everywhere I go I hear, "Jurassic Park."  At first I was unsure what people were talking about but it wasn't long until I caught on.  The kind man selling me pineapple made that comment when I was at the market last.  In fact, I have bought pineapple from him twice now and I do believe he said it both times.  Maybe I'll go back to him soon and flash my dazzling dinosaur, seeing if he says it again.  A little experiment.

What a packed day with so much fun stuff.  I wouldn't mind another "day worth documenting" sometime soon (did ya hear that God?=)

Hakuna Matata

p.s. I also made banana bread this day!