Big Changes

Big change happened over the Memorial Day weekend.  I retired my Toile bedding for the summer. This is HUGE.  Some of you may know my habit of becoming attached to things.  And, well, the toile was known to make a few road trips. But, I am moving on to a new pattern.  And learning to let go one day at a time.....   :)

On another note, it was nice to have my Mom and sister, Kimberly, in town for the weekend. I had really been looking forward to taking some of my family to my church, to introduce them to the fabulous Dr. Wicker. Heather and I just love him -- and I knew they would, too. 

~Sarah.

life's journey

We are all on a journey. Journeys have a variety of destinations and purposes. Some journeys turn out to be more adventurous than others. Many come to South Asia on a spiritual journey. These wandering hearts are often misguided and looking for peace in all the wrong places.

We took the day to spend some moments experiencing and praying over some of the spiritual strongholds of the area, including the Triveni Sangam, a confluence of three rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati). The Saraswati is invisible and is said to join the other two underground.

This Sangam is known to be sacred amongst Hindus and it is believed that a ritual bath will wash away all one's sins and free one from the cycle of rebirth. The Sangam is also a respectable location to scatter the ashes of a loved one. The family accompanies the ashes with great pomp and circumstance to show honor to the deceased and offer the ashes to the gods as a last sacrifice.

Join us in asking the father to reveal himself as Creator and Redeemer, especially to those who have set out on a spiritual journey. Ask that their hearts be spurred on to continue searching, until they find eternal peace in him.

~Heather

I have so far to go...

The more I learn, the more I realize that I have to learn. Isn't it like that with everything? Several years ago, I was at a particular place in my life that drew me very near to the Father. It was then that I realized how much more there was to learn and experience, of and in him.

The past week was full of cultural experiences. There were, of course, the good, the bad, and the ugly. There always are, I guess. Because I want to be seen as confident, I often come across as someone who is quite familiar with and understanding everything that is going on. I have a bit of a knack for playing it cool, for shooting from the hip. When I am shaking in my boots, I want it to look like I have it all together, like I am confident in my knowledge and understanding of every situation.

Well, don't you worry, the Father is allowing me to see every moment that I have so far to go.

• I want to know the Father's story in such a way that it freely flows from of me.
• I want to communicate that story on a heart level with those around me, in their heart language and in a way that is most meaningful to them.
• I want those around me to hear my heart's song.
• I want to find myself in perfect harmony with the Father.

I don't just want these things, they are what I long for. May each day he give me the courage, the energy, and the humility to get one step closer.

~Heather

A few "snaps" to share

Recent Realizations

As the Spring semester has come to a close, I have wound down quite a bit. Slowing down and not having so many things to be focused on has provided the space and time to realize. Below is a list, ever growing, that I am becoming aware of:

1.I am auditory. All the way. I enjoy reading; but, as far as soaking up information, give it to me MP3 style. It takes me forever to read and process. But put it to me over speakers and I am on it. This is probably why I enjoy NPR so much.

2. My all-or-nothing worldview/way of approaching things permeates everything I do. My faith, my work, my school, cleaning my apartment....everything.

3. I need to find a balance. Scratch that. I need to know what 'balance' is and then find it.

4. My unsocial tendencies are working against me. When I do stop, from work, school, etc, I find that I am deeply lonely. Not just bored. Lonely.

5. My knack for shooting from the hip, ability to build my parachute on the way down, figure out what I need to do and know, reliance on my ability is severely hindering my relationship with the Lord.

6. I work too much; and, when work is too much, I work some more. (Thanks, Daddy) I need to learn to enjoy.

7. I take myself too seriously.

8. I don't know how to see my good qualities.

9. I am hating this list right now.

~Sarah

on purpose

The most quoted phrase from the book of Ester is sure to be, "for such a time as this." The father has been teaching me this week more of what it means to be purposeful. I am often found saying, "The father has good plans. There is great stuff in store."

I memorized Jeremiah 29:11 as a youth. The father does have plans for us. I know that he promises that they are plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans for a hope and a future. However, it is easy for me to get caught up in the plans to come and forget to be purposeful in the "right now." The father is teaching me that he does have plans and a purpose, and eventhough much of what he is teaching us and molding us for might be still to come, there is purpose and meaning in each day.

May we find his plan and purpose in each day. May we not sit idly by waiting for a huge plan and purpose, only to miss the everyday wonders and miracles that are wrapped in opportunities to share his story. May we earnestly seek to live each day, "for such a time as this."

~Heather

A whole new ballgame

Why do we get so set in our ways and so spoiled to what we have? I think we do it, even without realizing it, until everything changes, that is. What are we entitled to? This could certainly be debated within and between many circles.

The recent move to A’bad has been a bit of a change. Things here are wonderful. Days are more laid back and nights are quieter (except for the wedding fireworks that seem to be sounding regularly). People are much more personable, the community is tighter, and the temperament is sweeter. It’s the part of me that just isn’t a city girl that loves it out here. But with the removed megacity atmosphere, comes the removal of so many conveniences and luxuries. I am spoiled to having access to the world by means of the internet, I am spoiled to a continuous supply of running water, I am spoiled to things just working, I am spoiled to running to Target, or at least the local market, to pick up everything I need for the week. A’bad is wonderful, but it’s a whole new ballgame.

Tuesday was a difficult day. It seemed that I was bombarded with one thing after another. I didn’t sleep at all Monday night. My language helper arrived early, so I wasn’t as prepared as I like to be. The internet was out. My mobile phone wasn’t working to send or receive calls or texts. The AC units, which are only run at night in the bedrooms, caused a fire in the wiring and the electrician had to be called and come to rewire the breakers. The wiring fire took out the AC units, refrigerator, hot water heaters, and water filter. The water filter was broken, and empty. I had a migraine, aided by the lack of caffeine since I had yet to round up any coffee or Diet Coke. The househelper was here and was frustrated by my inability to answer her questions. And we were completely out of water, drinking or otherwise.

The good news is that Wednesday came and, again, the father’s mercies were new and his faithful was and is great! The water filter is still not working, but we will manage. The house has been rewired and seems to be functioning more properly. The mobile phone is working. The internet seems to come on for a few hours every couple of days. The water tank pumps water when the power is on, so we know more will come if we wait patiently. I have found some coffee and Diet Coke, so no need for caffeine withdrawal this week. The househelper is trying to communicate and is so excited when it does, in fact, happen. The father promises not to leave or forsake. I know he is here. He is so faithful to be right there each time I return to him.

I have settled into meeting with a language helper each morning. Her name is Ari. She is a precious young lady. I just love her, already. She became a believer just a couple of months ago and has the sweetest spirit. I am introducing storying to her and wanting to learn to tell short little stories or story parts, in Hindi. She loves storying already. She is a really smart girl and has almost completed her education, so she reads and writes Hindi and English quite well, yet still is intrigued by the father’s story. I can hardly wait to see what the father has in store as I learn Hindi and Ari learns more and more of his story!

• Praise the father for his faithfulness.
• Ask the father to give me strength, especially to get through the difficult days.
• Ask the father to grant language mercies that Cathy, Rachel, and I would quickly be enabled to communicate more effectively with nationals.
• Ask the father for daily opportunities to share his love and his story.
• Ask the father to bless my time with Ari, that she would be encouraged to share his story with those around her.

~Heather

Movin' on up, to the east side

The train whistle will sound in just a few hours signaling our departure. We have a plan! After weeks of wondering what the Father had in store, Cathy & I will be moving, along with Rachel, a fellow worker, to a city in the east. The three of us are thrilled to have a plan and will be intensively studying language over the next 6 weeks.

The Father has again proved Himself faithful. There has been great pruning during this time in the capital city. He has drawn Cathy & I together, and is continuing to teach us how we can best partner, encourage, and support one another.

Praise Him for this answer.
Praise Him for this sweet time in the capital city.
Ask that we would begin the next leg of this adventure with renewed vigor.
Ask that the Father would create a sweet spirit of fellowship and encouragement in our home.
Ask that we would quickly learn language and build lasting relationships with nationals.

~Heather

Trains, Planes, and Automobiles

Most often, travel for me these days is by train. India actually has the most intricate railway system in the world. It is pretty impressive! Indeed, the train station is quite an interesting place. There is never any telling what may take place or what one might see at the train station!

~Heather

It's a zoo out here!

Maybe not lions & tigers & bears, but on a recent trip to N town, we saw cows, monkeys, pigs, sheep, camels, an elephant, buffalo, dogs, chickens, and goats. He has certainly called us on a great adventure!

~Heather