Things I find interesting about myself. It's hard to know what things are actually going to affect you when you've never moved overseas before. I have nothing to compare it to so a few things came as a surprise to me.
First, I've been really surprised by my desire to cook. And to bake. And to just be in the kitchen. Most of you know I took advantage of the world of ease in America and let plenty of meals go by without cooking. I also spent a lot of time complaining about the responsibility of cooking. Now, I look back and think how ridiculous. I have been given the awesome privilege of providing for my family in this one simple way and I'm loving it. Thank you, God for this new found joy.
The next thing that caught me off guard is how much I enjoy talking about the luxuries of "home". I've always teased people overseas who torture themselves with thinking of, dreaming of, talking about the foods they love from home. Why torture yourself? But, funny enough, some of my favorite conversations today have been talking about what types of places we loved to eat, desserts we love, and of course going on and on about Chick-Fil-A.
* A little side note. Today, Kiley randomly says "I wish we had a Chick-Fil-A here. We just happened to be having chicken strips for dinner (made with a CFA recipe I have), so I told her, "Girl, who needs Chick-Fil-A when you have CFA... "Chicken From Angel"! She appreciated that bit of humor. ;)
Anyway, so I never expected I would enjoy talking about things I can't have but it kind of brings a warmth to reminisce especially about all the memories with the people we enjoyed those restaurants and foods with.
Third, I don't miss the TV one bit! Not an ounce. Not to say we'll never get one again, but it doesn't even cross our minds. The girls either. We haven't had a single craving for it. Technology helps, because we watch the occasional movie on the laptop, but it's rare and you'd probably laugh at what we watch. ;) A wise friend once told me TV is a thief. It steals precious time. And I believe that's true. We have way too many other memories to be making right now.
And, today, I came to terms with the fact that items from home are treasured. I'm not really that sentimental of a person. But, today I found myself almost in tears over the fact that one towel bled onto one from home. That was a gift from a dear friend. Normally, that wouldn't be a huge deal I thought, but it was a treasured gift from someone I loved and now it was tainted. It made me much sadder than I expected.
I'm also a little surprised at how much I miss my WV family. I mean, duh, I knew I'd miss them. But it's not like I lived next door to them before. We were more than three hours away. But, let me tell you, distance makes the heart grow fonder, for sure. I find myself daydreaming about going hunting with my dad (something I never really got into growing up... Oh the memories I missed out on), teasing my sister and making her LOL, cracking up at my brother because he's such a nut, and hugging on my mom, something else I took for granted. Not to mention my brother & sister-in-laws, who I just wish I could spend more time getting to know better and just live life with them. And that sweet baby, Aaleyah! ... THANK GOD FOR TECHNOLOGY because I can still call my mommy anytime I need random advice on something, I can listen to my dad's hunting stories and find myself listening much more intently than ever before. I can call my brother when I need a good laugh or someone who will simply listen when I'm down, and I can call my sister at the wee hours of her morning because I know she'll be awake and I know I'll make her day, which makes mine.
I also never expected I'd feel at home so fast. I thought I would have to endure for quite some time. Just get by. Remember why you're here. You can do this. But, God gave me the desires of my heart, which I far from deserve. A place to call home. My home away from home.
There's so much I'm learning about myself. But so much I still have to learn. I'm blown away by God's goodness to me. And I'm amazed by how He's taking the time to invest into me, convict me, change me. I'm on this amazing journey and He has lead me all the way. He's changing me day after day. And, for that, I am incredibly thankful.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Side Notes on our House Video
After the video posted and sent, I thought of about a million random things I forgot to mention.
So, here's a list of what comes to my mind right now:
1. First, our home is a new build. So since its never been lived in before, it's appearance is in great condition. Funny thing is, every worker that comes through to fix one thing seems to break another. ;) Anyway, we're super thankful for a new build! It saves a lot of inconveniences like mold, etc.
2. I forgot to point out all the random lighting. It's like a guessing game everytime you flip a light switch. You never know what you're turning on (or off). Not to mention, the lights are just in random places all over the rooms... On the walls, ceilings, corners, you name it. And of all shapes and sizes. And, don't forget that everything is opposite here, so you flip the switch up for off and down for on.
3. On the back porch, you may have spotted a big box. That's our inverter. Our power goes out randomly day and night. That allows us to keep our fans and most lights. Not our microwave/ oven though so if I'm baking something and the power goes out, it has to wait. Thankfully, tho, our stovetop is gas.
4. The shower faucets are entertaining because there's too many to count. It's another guessing game as to what you're turning on or off or up or down!
5. The girls room has a huge window overlooking the front street (and the monkeys that come to visit often on our front porch).
6. Finding furniture for them and bookshelves for all our homeschool materials has proven to be difficult. We are in the process now of trying to find someone to build that stuff for us.
7. The dust is unbelievable! But we are getting used to it. And it gets dusted daily.
8. Ooh! And I forgot to show one of my favorite things about the house! The ceilings are beautiful and we forgot to show you our huge skylight!
That's all the interesting facts I can think of right now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! :)
We've been blessed beyond measure!
So, here's a list of what comes to my mind right now:
1. First, our home is a new build. So since its never been lived in before, it's appearance is in great condition. Funny thing is, every worker that comes through to fix one thing seems to break another. ;) Anyway, we're super thankful for a new build! It saves a lot of inconveniences like mold, etc.
2. I forgot to point out all the random lighting. It's like a guessing game everytime you flip a light switch. You never know what you're turning on (or off). Not to mention, the lights are just in random places all over the rooms... On the walls, ceilings, corners, you name it. And of all shapes and sizes. And, don't forget that everything is opposite here, so you flip the switch up for off and down for on.
3. On the back porch, you may have spotted a big box. That's our inverter. Our power goes out randomly day and night. That allows us to keep our fans and most lights. Not our microwave/ oven though so if I'm baking something and the power goes out, it has to wait. Thankfully, tho, our stovetop is gas.
4. The shower faucets are entertaining because there's too many to count. It's another guessing game as to what you're turning on or off or up or down!
5. The girls room has a huge window overlooking the front street (and the monkeys that come to visit often on our front porch).
6. Finding furniture for them and bookshelves for all our homeschool materials has proven to be difficult. We are in the process now of trying to find someone to build that stuff for us.
7. The dust is unbelievable! But we are getting used to it. And it gets dusted daily.
8. Ooh! And I forgot to show one of my favorite things about the house! The ceilings are beautiful and we forgot to show you our huge skylight!
That's all the interesting facts I can think of right now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! :)
We've been blessed beyond measure!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Prayers Answered! Faith Strengthened! Future Brightened!
Last week, after meeting numerous people in the villages, our team of about 30 people came together and spent time "prayer walking" in a circle around specific names of people we had met.
As we walked that circle, I became OVERWHELMED by the thought of all those people who had caught only a glimpse of our Savior and now were left with the possibility of never hearing His name again.
You see, with so many contacts made, each visit has to be rated on the level of interest and whether follow-up is encouraged. After all, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
I spent that prayer time that night begging God that we would have some chance of meeting these people again, the ones who may never have a chance to hear again apart from our mouths. I prayed over and over specifically that somehow we would run into these people from way out in the village when they came into town for a dr visit or an errand of some kind. I'll be honest, in a city of a couple million people, I ended the evening very disheartened. Wondering how we could possibly get the task done.
This takes me to a specific village that I visited on the next to last day. It felt like a day with little "profit". We visited the home of one woman where a large crowd quickly gathered and we told stories to no avail. I even listed THAT woman on my prayer walking sheet the final night. She had broken my heart because she was an elderly woman and when I asked her to tell me about the best day of her life, she simply cried. It broke my heart to think that possibly no one has ever cared enough to ask her that before. Or maybe she couldn't think of a best day. I was burdened for her.
There was also a young man sitting right next to her who walked with crutches and had one bad eye. He caught my attention because (aside from his injuries) he looked exactly like an Indian version of a friend of ours. It was crazy how much they looked alike!
Well, would you believe that he got on our bus today right here in our town!!!! He lives a good hour out into the village (the one we had to ride a buffalo cart to get into) and he was here in our town on our bus!!!!!!!!! I just about cried!!!!!
Jason actually spotted him too (having never met him) because... He said he looked exactly like that same friend of ours!!!! I told Jason "I met him in a village last week!!!! I can't believe this. I prayed this exact thing would happen!! We have to talk to him." And would you believe... HE UNDERSTOOD SOME ENGLISH!!!!
We were able to give him a tract and pray for him right there!!!!! It was amazing!!!!
My faith was strengthened big time today! SPECIFIC prayers that I prayed answered so beautifully!
Please pray for our new friend, Shahjad, (sounds like 'C- zar'). He asked that we pray for a bright future for him! Ha! Will we ever! Join me in praying that his future will be brighter because of Jesus!!!!
As we walked that circle, I became OVERWHELMED by the thought of all those people who had caught only a glimpse of our Savior and now were left with the possibility of never hearing His name again.
You see, with so many contacts made, each visit has to be rated on the level of interest and whether follow-up is encouraged. After all, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
I spent that prayer time that night begging God that we would have some chance of meeting these people again, the ones who may never have a chance to hear again apart from our mouths. I prayed over and over specifically that somehow we would run into these people from way out in the village when they came into town for a dr visit or an errand of some kind. I'll be honest, in a city of a couple million people, I ended the evening very disheartened. Wondering how we could possibly get the task done.
This takes me to a specific village that I visited on the next to last day. It felt like a day with little "profit". We visited the home of one woman where a large crowd quickly gathered and we told stories to no avail. I even listed THAT woman on my prayer walking sheet the final night. She had broken my heart because she was an elderly woman and when I asked her to tell me about the best day of her life, she simply cried. It broke my heart to think that possibly no one has ever cared enough to ask her that before. Or maybe she couldn't think of a best day. I was burdened for her.
There was also a young man sitting right next to her who walked with crutches and had one bad eye. He caught my attention because (aside from his injuries) he looked exactly like an Indian version of a friend of ours. It was crazy how much they looked alike!
Well, would you believe that he got on our bus today right here in our town!!!! He lives a good hour out into the village (the one we had to ride a buffalo cart to get into) and he was here in our town on our bus!!!!!!!!! I just about cried!!!!!
Jason actually spotted him too (having never met him) because... He said he looked exactly like that same friend of ours!!!! I told Jason "I met him in a village last week!!!! I can't believe this. I prayed this exact thing would happen!! We have to talk to him." And would you believe... HE UNDERSTOOD SOME ENGLISH!!!!
We were able to give him a tract and pray for him right there!!!!! It was amazing!!!!
My faith was strengthened big time today! SPECIFIC prayers that I prayed answered so beautifully!
Please pray for our new friend, Shahjad, (sounds like 'C- zar'). He asked that we pray for a bright future for him! Ha! Will we ever! Join me in praying that his future will be brighter because of Jesus!!!!
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