All things are Possible those who believe

Sonia's first visit to the beach-- Thankgiving week/ Maciah 3 days old, Phoenix, AZ

2011-12-16T05:20:00.000-08:00

2011's first entry :) (Another day with Sonia in the hospital-Madras)

2011-12-16T04:28:00.000-08:00

Well after God graciously added 20 little ones to our lives since September 2010, I completely abandoned this post. :) 19 girls were birthed in our hearts --girls rescued from female infanticide my hubs and I have loved since their birth years ago --the oldest is 7 and Paul held her on her birthday),and the 20th --2nd son to Paul and I birthed at home in September:)
I am just now coming out of the fog and giving into my friends challenges to get back on here, to document our wild journey, wreckless faith--it's challenges and victories regardless of responses or not, my hubs also feels I need to be on here....
So power outages and slow speed dial up, diaper-less babies, look out, I will be determined!
I will get a post on here--even if it takes a week in bits. :)
have to re-learn how to put up pics, have forgotten the drill here!
One of our precious 19--Sonia, age 4 thanks to God's generous kids was able to undergo heart surgery here for a 5 in. hole!
This entry has to do with giving thanks for and trials that go along~

"I have all and abound" (Phil, 4:18 a)

also see 2 Cor, 9:8 He is able to make all grace abound to you!

Words my mother use to challenge me to chew on, to say out loud again and again until it feels true.

Paul, (My amazing hubs of 3 yrs), flashes an all-knowing smile under his dirty sun glasses my way when he hears the whispering pep talk with God under my breath, through my head covering on the bike, "I have all, I have ALL, i abound, I AM abounding, overflowing, flowing...."

The more you tell yourself you have ALL and abound, the more you let this truth sink in and settle on the levels of your heart, the more you learn to hear it--to really believe it and let the truth feed the core of your being.

It's a good thing when God changes your perspective, it's a great thing when I can remember in light of eternity today is just a flash, in a moment we will be with Him--in a moment we will be like HIM!!!

It's an amazing day when I recall that He has saved me and all who call on His Name from sin and self and death!

Some of the struggles that have been more overwhelming that usual include driving on our motorbike with babies to and from the hospital in flooding, congested traffic and filth. And dealing with people who don't seem to care for our little one they are over seeing in the hospital.--they will tell us to come at 5 or 7 am and we will set our 4 am alarm, bundle babies and arrange/pay for a friend to help watch them in the hospital waiting room as they aren't permitted inside..... then they will inform us the procedure will delayed 20 min. to 4 hrs all the while baby girl is waiting to drink and eat. We must be there to sign a paper before they move her or do anything, but 4 out of 5 times they will inform us no one is permitted that time....when you’re too polite, no progress will be made.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, you are here.

Thank You for reminding me to abide, wit out you I cannot do this, I tell pray..

Finally, we sneak up the flight of stairs like every other morning where we will be able to spend time with her together! The little dolly waits in her hospital gown--open in the back--her shinning eyes light up as he lifts her head to the sound of our calls, SONIA, SONIA (it’s a well-known song in Tamil here), surrounded by iv bags, carts and tiyn sick babies--even just a few days old. She leaps in our arms forgetting about her bandage on her heart, clinging to us for dear life smiling. She's ready to pray--our little tradition when we first arrive in the morning, she presses her hands tightly together, "Dear Jesus, thank you for this day. My Jesus, thank You for my heart. My Jesus, please bless my doctors, please bless my nurses..." then she proceeds with us to pray for her 18 sisters and ends with baby Maciah looking up asking suddenly, "where is my baby?" (Our baby boy :)

:) I adore this little girl!!!

Paul plays a game with her on the pillow using the chain on our entrance pass, her giggles lighten my weary soul.

Our time is up, Paul and I both use every trick we can think of including, “I will get your ears pierced when you come out for Christmas…” to keep the sobs from coming as her eyes fill with water, pleading to leave with us. I generally sneak out first –no goodbye, just telling her how strong she is and playing a game, then Paul will hold her 5 minutes to make sure she’s settled as I wait around the corner.

Last night after we left, Paul's parents went to pray for her--of course they were stopped, but Paul's dad pushed right through to find Sonia sobbing alone in her ICU bed, he went to here, laid and on her forehead and silenced all in the room, including Sonia. How thankful I am to have loving in-laws who have also taken on these girls and their care in their hearts with us.

and this hospital is the very best in India for hearts. Sonia's surgeon is clearly brilliant, but lacking strength in the people skills department. "Can you explain to us how you repaired the hole- what’s involved in re-constructing the atrium wall?? "

pause, "ya, you can just check the chart at the time of discharge"

Paul says questions here are very offensive and untrusting.

Maybe I can ask in another manner, "Sir, see we rescue girls and have other girls with heart issues and will face this again-we wanted our girls to have the best care- vs. cheaper government care. If there is a way you can help me with photos of the heart before and after the surgery so that we can document what a great service our little girl had with your treatment, vs. something local..." "No photos were taken of Sonia during surgery, she will have a long life now, see the file at discharge". As he gives a smile that doesn’t seem to go with his tone or few words.

I remind myself of the miracle that we are even here in the lovely hospital, I praise God that our little girl is no longer critical as I look around at all the mournful faces of families of critical patients. Praises well up in my heart turning genuine as I consider all my hubs has on his plate .....

Paul's cell vibrates none-stop as usual when we meet with staff in the hospital, questions regarding church needs, repairs in the church, budget issues, calls from our other 18 girls we are missing, updates on our babies waiting in the lobby, new sports teams for the start of the year needing orientation, jerseys, friends inviting us to their churches, dinners, wondering why they haven't seen us yet in India... etc.

and he is here with me, with Sonia….pushing this wagon along. His heart adores these baby girls as much--if not more than I do, what a gift! This untaking was never something I tired to talk him into.

He's already turned down 3 pastors inviting him to preach this week; I am thankful.
(He's a pastor---we live above our church in madras :)

It's all worth it, I tell myself as we come home after 7 hrs, walking up the 47 stairs carrying water, babies and a few groceries , greeted by the neglected mounds of laundry waiting for us to wash together by hand.
this whole process will give a wonderful future to our precious little girl, I tell my soul
then I am stopped by the presence of the Lord
grateful He is steadfast in His encouragements to my soul, I make sure to put crying babies down, sit and listen.
"I have much more in this for you, my daughter, I am molding you even in this"

a great comfort to my soul that all this struggle, all this waiting in doing something great in the eternal realm.

Paul is now at the dentist with his precious mother. We are determined to help this sweet servant of God with only 3 remaining teeth and in so much pain though she refuses care. :)

This morning at 4 when the call to prayer sounded and our church started to fill up below for prayer and fasting, Paul declared a stay at home day as he noticed I was limping to get baby. (early this year I broke 3 bones in my ankle from a fall down the stairs in my 2nd trimester needing surgery and now I have a foot full of plates and medal that aches when I am too active:)

I am very happy to stay home, ( although Home here feels like a very extended camping trip---in a third world country, I must confess), need to entrust Sonia to the Lord and His perfect care.

I need to learn this.

2010-12-13T02:07:00.000-08:00

We love to go before 6 am....that way we miss the crowd and the beggars. It's wonderful to have the ocean all to yourself! Baby is not Indian in the way that he LOVES the water! He is just like Mommy. ;) This time Daddy was successful in keeping us dry...

Baby's first

2010-12-13T02:03:00.000-08:00

Ocean fun with Daddy.....how did I get so lucky?! God, you are GREAT! Your mercies are new every morning and your faithfulness never fails. Who said being in India was a sacrafice? They must have missed our beaches!! ;0)

You know you're in India when...

2010-12-13T02:00:00.000-08:00

You know you’re in India WHEN…. (this is not an exhaustive list--just the ones I really noticed this week!)
~You buy something only to discover after you’ve brought it home the electrical cord doesn’t match the outlet in your house!
Who knew-there were like 6 different styles!! You can only hope you lucked out after your purchase!
~You have to hire 3 people to drill holes for hooks in your house with cement walls. ;0)
~You have to remove your shoes before walking into a filthy store. Ahhh, the life!
~You have to wait 3 hrs for people to arrive when you are invited as guest speaker. :0) (Plan for the day—not for the event, then you won’t be irritated with the surprise!)
~ You turn on the sink in the bathroom in the morning and nothing happens. ;0)
~ Your hubby corrects you for slipping and crossing your legs in a formal meeting.
~ Putting on your sons shoes at the front door---neighbors are calling out size advice. ;0)
~ You're at a party and the beverage being passed person to person is one vase with water and one cup...
~You've been standing in line for ten minutes and the line only grows as people jump in front of you like it's standard procedure.
~ You go out to eat and only half the items on the menu are available (don't get your hopes up when you see cheese! lol)
-Your door bell chime box is a shrine for Mother Mary and baby Jesus. (wish I was kidding...it's on our list to remove!)
~ At an elevator if you don't stand waiting with your nose at the doors--You'll never get in!! They shove in like sardines before the people the ones inside have a chance to exit! The work-out of the stairs is usually worth it to avoid the stampede!
~ "No" always mean "YES" when referring to food. Just when you were sooo proud of yourself you finally cleared your plate and they come to dump more---don't assume your "no" will have any meaning....better to run! (Just saying!)

Simplicity

2010-12-11T05:14:00.000-08:00

(Photo of our neighbor's opposite our house...I dearly miss yards....front or back---I miss those green spaces!)
I've had the baby on my back pack carrier at home all day as fire crackers go off none stop....some festival going on outside--not sure what this one is for ;0) It seems tonight after the billionth cracker as I work around here as all is normal and play some Phil Wicham songs baby is learning he is safe and becoming familiar with the constant bangs. But even I have not been able to get used to it. If you look out our back--or front--or side you will see an inch of wrappers covering the road from the fire crackers-the smoke is so thick you can't even see the crowds formed just at the base of our stairs setting off the light show. It's sheer madness and my heart smiles over God's goodness that we are here.
I can truly say in a day there is not one thing, exept of course God's faithfulness and our pursuit of Him and one another that is the same as daily living in the West. It is a good thing. I am convinced. The slow pace, the simplicity, the focus on God and the spiritual all around--you can even feel it in the market. I believe it's a good thing. We are the farthest from that place where all try to look their best and are consumed with money-making and being important. It is a place where believers come and pray for the day below in our church, where neighbors walk in just to say hi, sqeeze my babies cheeks, offer advise for his cold and go their way. ;0) This is the place where laundry is done by hand in a bucket, where water runs out most days and we save it in another bucket, where we walk or borrow a bike or grab a rick-shaw, where we sit on the floor to eat using our hands, where the power cuts most afternoons and some nights-where friends drop by instead of calling. We have to get to know each other when we slow down.
Where I have utterly neglected this blog!! I blame it on the simplicity of life. I am determined to get back to it!
I am thankful.
I find everyday God challenges me. Challenges my faith, my routines, the myriads of ways I discover I am trying to be god and keep things under control when He is allowing things to fall apart around me. I see His beauty here and I am learning He is liberating me. I praise Him for it. It's a great thing to be set free. Of all the things that hold me back from truly seeing Him, of all the obstacles I find I myself have put there in my attempt to like Him. Teach me to embrace simplicity, Lord. It seems the opposite from all I have learned about being productive, juggling and being ambitious in the West. Were it not for some of that ambition, I doubt I would have ever come to India--or be married to this family for that matter-so I have to thank the Lord for it and now learn this new freedom of being. Sitting at feet, being still, watching at His posts--looking for where He is on the move. I believe simplicity would describe You if You were living here, Lord. Let the goals and agendas and self-promoting ideas and ambitions fall away. Let me be still and know that You are.
I sit here with the believers and we have tea. They share their struggles with me and suddenly I realize as I hug them, I am His arms. Godly families are one in a million here. May the fragrance of ours draw them near a loving Savior. May the Godliness they see in our day to day convince them the Gospel is the Truth. And He is the only One to redeem and truly set them free.
I am embracing simplicity and it is good. I feel liberated. My mind is clear. I pray this remains---whether east or west or north or south. You are God, I have no reason to strive.

My friend, really?

2010-10-16T00:18:00.000-07:00

On the way home, this precious lady hard at work grabbed my attention with her piercing stare. I had to stop....Paul doesn't always give in, but this time he did. She heard the word "friend" from my mouth....she looked surprised....are you, really, her eyes asked with earnestness. She seemed thankful for our exchange and loved the fact that I wanted a snap with her. God broke my heart after my short exchange with her as I wondered when I would see her again. To be a friend here in India is all together different than in the West...(in the West we have the luxury of being very choosy in our friendships so that we will not come out short, there are understood boundaries and if you miss a call, it is not a problem....you will connect at your convenience). In India between true friends-there are no limits, no boundaries and the assumed is that you will be available 24-7 to help your friend. It is a humbling calling. Is it really an offer I can make now as wife and Mommy, I consider now? Teach me, Lord! India's view of friendship sounds awfully close to the Gospel's when I think about it...."no greater love than this to lay your life down for your friend"...doesn't it? Owe no man nothing, but love! Very humbling.
God challenged my heart again, "Do you love my India?"
This morning chanting began at 2 am in a symphony of horns, bells, drums- (not with a pattern from what I could tell), and calls to a pagan god in wild worship right outside making sleep impossible as our place seemed to shake from the volume.
"How much do you love my India?" I heard my Shepherd's challenge again as I was more concerned with the fact that the three of us were missing sleep than crying out for my Lord's mercy over a thousand people lost for an eternity to the devotion of their idols just feet from our house.
I have to confess, this is a regular dialogue that goes on here with the Shepherd in my heart. "My child, how much do you "care" for these ones on their way to an eternal damnation? 'Is your heart broken, full of sorrow for the loss that breaks My own?"...
I am undone as I see my selfishness anew here in precious India. How many insane things drive me crazy in day ---truly the epitome of nuts that would drive any mad to be in the center of it.....to the norm they are inconveniences, frustrations, weird and even maddening. But for the one with Kingdom eyes they are opportunities to enter into that gap, to cry out, to intercede, to be the light, to love more, to die, to become less. Let me see with your eternal eyes, my Lord!! Change my perspective into that which does not perish....let me see the thing that YOU do.
Forgive me, Lord. It seems like I am only beginning to see the tip of the ice-berg....show me YOUR view of friendship, of Christ-like friendship. Let me embrace the chances to die....to my agenda, to my understanding, to my goals for the day as I embrace Your Kingdom agenda.
Teach me, Great Lover of mankind to love like You. Selfless, all-accepting. May Christ feel so at home in my heart that if HE were here in the flesh, (again....just for a friendly visit), my place was the first stop of His heart's desire...just to come, sup with me. Chai with my Lord. Let me be the friend Christ Himself desires.

must run there is a cute little Indian family banging at my door...this will be interesting as they don't look like they know any English....and Paul is not here :)) Let the fun begin!! Always thrilled when I can post before I lose power!! Thank You, Lord!!

Accross from our stair well that leads to our door

2010-10-14T02:18:00.000-07:00

Life on the terrace..... very fruitful over here

The View out of our kitchen

2010-10-14T02:16:00.000-07:00

(Which is actually a door--not a window--with a slice of a patio)
Ladies on their way to worship~
(this is one of the perks of being on a high rise---you feel invisible and can get away with some fun shots! :)

View outside our window to the East

2010-10-14T02:09:00.001-07:00

This is the bustling Hindu temple accross from our house/church. Our driver on occasion--new to Paul's disciple group of men, just 25, was a priest here for 5 years before the Lord got a hold of his heart. He is an active member at our church now.

Isaiah's treasure on a hot Indian day

2010-10-14T02:06:00.000-07:00

Don't worry--it's clean water! :0) While we work on the patio---this is baby's favorite place

I love these of the boys together on our patio in India....first week.

2010-10-14T00:16:00.000-07:00

Baby is covered in mosquito cream....at dusk just before bath time. Daddy makes calls to old friends letting them know we are finally HERE!!! This is the West side of the home and looks out on our main street bustling with action below, as well as the nearest mosque that wakes us with a call to prayer at 5. I think I have come to prefer the calls to prayer from the mosque over the craziness, the drums, the bells, the wild calls of the temple behind us towards the east of our home. The mosques calls are predictable---always the same pitch and you know it will have a nice ending. Whereas the parades for Mother Mary and all other idols can go on a whole night resembling something like pots and pans banging in your ear to this Westerner and you never really have an idea when--or What's coming!!

My boys.....where our front door meets the stairwell

2010-10-14T00:07:00.000-07:00

A Prayer

2010-06-07T23:23:00.000-07:00

Enjoying everyday with my baby....knowing we will not be here long, praying for balance, for focus
for joy in WHO HE is! (Catching writing fever and going with it! Forgive me no photos to match :)

My hubby sits on the floor in his lunge with Tamil Bible in hand covered in a traditional woven slip full of colors. Baby blows bubbles with eyes wide open catching every word as Daddy reads in his mother tongue beginning from Genesis.
These moments have been treasures for Mommy….
Luxuries I have so enjoyed that will not be afforded to me later…
Daddy with us during the day!(The hugs, the laughs, prayer together, the nonsense of chasing each other around a two room apartment.
Carpet! (Much of life is spent on the floor…reading, working, eating out of habit.)
QUIET! All around us is silent…..wait, listen….it’s only the birds. Amazing. I covet this most upon each return from India…..truly unattainable living in the city in Madras.

The Lord continues to call-
He calls me to Himself. He calls me to be quiet.
He draws me in His love, to come, to hide inside,
To see Him, to bend, to die.
To hide away and rest awhile in the bosom of His care,
To discover He is all I need in this life beyond imagination,
As I quiet my mind and listen to Him, all I need is here.
What a wonder, what joy, what a comfort to know HE is
Beyond all comprehension and it is He Who holds our life.
If, my daughter, my love, my beloved, you can see, then only you will know…
if, my molly, you can die to the thing that is not Me…
Then only your heart eyes will open and you will begin
To truly see.
I am.
Let my love alone be enough.
Let My Name, Myself be your all sustaining grace.
Do not become tossed about and swayed with your emotions.
Do not let love of family, comfort, safety, quiet, peace
Be greater than Your view of Me.
For only as you learn to die, to let go of all you’d like
To hold—only then will I show You in Myself is all you’ll ever
Need.

Feeling deep conviction for loving too much.
I did not see how much of myself I was giving away…
Love to family, love to friends, love of even the simple things.
Love for 'my' music, loving personal space, loving time with husband
That soon won’t be mine. Loving even the hold of a fine spatula…
The rubber grip in hand…baking her is amazing!

Serious babe

2010-06-07T23:16:00.000-07:00

he is sure a little thinker! and all his little furry friends do not serve well for distractions when he has his eye on Amma! He is always holding up a pointer finger, very funny! This photo was in April...now June 7 -I am soo bad! He giggled Monday and found his thumb on the first!!! How they grow soo fast each week! And as my dear friend Judy says, if you're not watching--you miss it!

with Grandpa...

2010-06-07T23:13:00.000-07:00

Today was a super special day with Grandpa! We helped outside at our friend's yard sale.... baby loves discussions with his grandparents. Let's just hope he always tells the truth!

What happened to my Baby!??

2010-06-07T23:08:00.000-07:00

This was April....now in June my baby is not so little anymore!! Thank you, Maria for catching babe's prints!

My fam :) Palm Springs after wedding

2010-06-07T23:06:00.000-07:00

2nd Cousins First Dance!

2010-06-07T23:05:00.000-07:00

Teddy with baby Arora (2 months old) with Mommy and Zaiah before sunset while daddy watches on laughing. ;)

Palm Springs

2010-06-07T23:03:00.000-07:00

Cousin Jill's wedding... can't figure out how to load all ten pics on same page!!

2010-06-07T22:59:00.001-07:00

Mommy's boy :)

2010-06-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

Daddy's Boy!

2010-06-07T22:58:00.000-07:00

ahhh

2010-06-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

atleast your memory is short!! ;0) this photo may come in handy later...

Dorley Zoo at 91 days old! ;)

2010-06-07T22:56:00.000-07:00

Grumpy pants, I still love taking your photo, forgive me!

Seize The day~

2010-06-07T22:53:00.000-07:00

Now you know

2010-06-07T22:51:00.000-07:00

Your Great Aunt Chatty! ;0) And Molly's God-mother.....and you will always remember all her love!

Mommy's Gift! Babe meeting his Greats!

2010-06-07T22:49:00.000-07:00

The day you turned 89 days old (3 months), your Great Grandmother, Mary held you. This made Mommy's year!!!! So thankful God allowed this visit...thankful Grandpa was ok enough to spend time with us. Thankful they were able to meet my amazing men for the first time. Paul and I desire to teach Isaiah about both our worlds--his rich heritage from India and America. Help us, Lord! Our time in Nebraska was truly a dream come true for Mommy. And Daddy liked the ease in traffic!!

Unammused!

2010-06-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, Ma!! Knock it off already, you're gonna have me a long, long time...
now is it really me? Or this window you're in love with anyway!!?

Sorry!

2010-06-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

Can't seem to stop, Zaiah!!

So Silly!!

2010-06-07T22:38:00.000-07:00

Same Window! Same Baby!!

Eye on Amma

2010-06-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

Love how baby is so keenly aware of his surroundings. He is just getting so super fun! Two months hit on our visit in Nebraska....this is in a window in a dear friend's home in CA. We loved every minute! Isaiah loved this window...but not as much as mommy loved her view with him in it...

Mommy's Favorite's!!

2010-05-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Isaiah William 90 days of life!

2010-05-07T23:39:00.000-07:00

Today Isaiah cannot stop talking!! Such a delight to look deeply into his eyes and see him open up in laughter. He is so attentive to his surroundings. A very sensitive little guy. We met a wonderful lady this week in her home studio. The Lord gave her a burden to pray for us. Baby took a liking to Peggy instantly. She took our photos for our first mission card as a new family. We are super excited! Can not wait to run to Cosco and print these out....another magnificent week of His grace. Life with Isaiah is truly an adventure. Teach me, my Lord to be a learner.....a true disciple is always looking for Your thought, your view-for You. Teach me to be in the moment as I struggle in always looking ahead. Open my eyes, Lord, I want to see You. May our little one know the power of Your love and see You as a very real, tangible, fun, accepting, adventurous God Who is coming very soon in Truth and Judgement. Quicken us in the way of Your Truth that we may delight in Your law and find our joy in obedience. Thank you for challenging me today to believe what I cannot see.

2010-05-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

2010-04-30T23:39:00.000-07:00

Adjusting to Parenthood!

Paul and I enjoy our roles caring for the little cub very much. We joke around that he's spent 99% of his life in our arms. It is amazing how he seems to change so much each week. We dream about what kind of a man he will be....then get sad at the thought of not being able to hold our little baby. Isaiah's coos are our favorite part of the day now.

I am sorry to confess this--but I have to say for the first time in my life--I literally ran from a homeless couple. They ran over to me as I left "Healthy Habit" on 7th street....I could see they were eager to touch Isaiah--I guess the lion in me took over and I am ashamed to say, I did not even speak to them. I am still shocked at my response--a good indicator at the prayer level I must be at before returning East. Returning --where our home will be on a street Paul won't even allow me to walk on alone--where it's unheard of for whities to live in. To say His grace is needed seems like an understatement! But, it is sufficient and I ---only in Him--am up to the challenge. Please pray for me!

Tonight during dinner a spontaneous little chili pepper flew from our curry dish into my Paul's eye. Moments later returning to our meal after washing the red fire ball out all we could do was laugh..... sauce covered the floor--just missing the our pile of pillows where we normally sit. Our friends that visit for dinner tell us the eastern spices fill up even the parking lot... reminding us of the eternal impact we have here in this condo with our living fragrance for these few days.

-somehow we are here-right smack in the middle of Phoenix in the U.S.A. but not living as "Americans" at all. From the moment we wake---no matter if it's 3 am or a decent 7......nothing about our day is conventional. One of the biggest changes I've noticed in myself since being single is the very crazy fact that I Do NOT know one single neighbor here in this complex! A sure sign of how some of the Eastern ways I'd adatped to stuck. This would have Never happened in my life before my calling to India or before life with Paul. :0)

Although my nature is a complete dreamer--I truly never had a mental picture of how our life would be here. Never imagining in the first place we would be here this early in our marriage! Or secondly that God would plant us here more than a year.

I cannot stop thanking the Lord for this very rich year of learning for us both. I will be so thankful he laughs at my jokes now back in India!! That is something I always wished we had as East and West humor is so vastly different. Now I will also have the luxery of us missing Enchaladas, bathtubs, carpet and stable electricity together! ;)

"I caught YOU!"...Some of Paul's British-English has stayed well in tact

Paul still calls the gas station--"fuel bank" and

Cousins, Aunt and Uncles are referred to as "Relations" Pots are "vessels" ;0)

Our little Culture Shocks are still a constant ;). (latest couple)

~ A trip to Petsmart with my brother, Matt--Paul was amazed to see them counting the insects one by one--charging for ea.!!

These are food for his lizards....."how much we could make from the critters in our home in India'!!

Googled below as Isaiah shares his birthday, i have a new founded love for this president.

Abraham Lincoln Jokes

Abraham Lincoln made many humorous quotes and jokes in his lifetime:

It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.

When I hear a man preach, I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees.

If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?

Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

Whatever you are, be a good one.

He can compress the most words into the smallest ideas better than any man I ever met.

When you have got an elephant by the hind leg, and he is trying to run away, its best to let him run.

You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.

Labour is prior to, and independent of capital. Capital is only the fruit of labour, and could never have existed if labour had not first existed. Labour is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.

No matter how much cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

The man who murdered his parents, then pleaded for mercy on the grounds that he was an orphan.

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.

2010-04-29T18:55:00.001-07:00

2010-03-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

Dreaming of returning...March 2nd week

2010-03-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

Paul's shouts in Tamil help keep baby half awake as I lazily attempt his night's last feeding....it seems my great scheduling efforts have all been in vain! He's still thinks he's starving every two hours......and I jump at his waking call. "Isaiah has my wife well trained" Paul says! Daddy calls it "acting"...Mommy says, "he's hungry!" :)

It's nearly 1 am. and I haven't taken the naps with baby I should be.
Amma (mother in Tamil) struggles to understand Paul through his old cell phone barely operating--but our life line keeping our world's connected. The speaker phone sends rickshaw bells from the road-side right to our condo sending me back to Sastri Nagar as if we never left.

But we have. Paul and I have been on this journey away from our India for nearly a year. I can only imagine all of the Lord's purposes for us, our marriage, our ministry in this precious time. I think of what it will all mean later for our Isaiah...being born American, where his heart will be....
It's been invaluable.
My husband now understands my jokes!! Sarcasm is becoming a subtle skill of his....

He now will know the thousand things I miss and fail to say in India....from carpet, to Yogurt to hugs, laughter out loud and useless, silly constant texting from family members who know you all too well. Paul has also developed a great understanding of Americans.....what they're walking through over here, how great they love. To have friendships now with pictures in our Bible in India is priceless. He knows the precious ones in my life holding us up before the throne....that means so much to his wife!
this is all a gift---I never even asked my Father for...but He's lavished this new understanding on both of us--the knowledge of our family's, our backgrounds (as we're living in my old neighborhood!!), our cultures and comforts. I am truly thankful. (Paul says gratefulness is never running short around here!)...I do remember Mr. Gothard challenging me when I was 18 that gratefulness was one of the most attractive qualities in a young lady...I think I must have really tuned into that word from him! lol ;)

My little sister and hero, Michelle (or Belle) was here today before rushing into ICU where she lives practically as a night trauma nurse. Our current home is just down a block from her hospital making her visits convenient, Mommy's great highlight! She brings her crazy stories making me laugh so hard I tear up, her questions about her future, her un-ending support and love for baby, Paul and i. Her birthday is the 19th. Paul and I are excited to host her little family dinner here, listen to more stories from Haiti, just be together.
My older brother, Matthew is just 5 minutes away south of us. Paul picks him up on Tuesdays for men's Bible studies.....we share a bite when he has time, he comes in like a storm grants his approval, we laugh as he taunts me relentlessly ..... I have to treasure these moments... though both plan to join us even this year for service in India....we never know what the Lord will do. I can not take a moment for granted.
These have become the sweetest parts of my time here. Moments with the ones we love. Exchanges with family and friends that believe in us, that know what Paul and I are living for. That understand how badly we want to be effective for His Kingdom. How at times our days haven't made sense here, but we realize we're on the path to be poured out for Him and look for it.

Daniel, his most loyal of disciples grabs the cell from Amma.....they are carrying up loads of bricks up the stairs balanced on their heads. As our parents oversee the project from the terrace insuring only the best mortar is used. Daniel takes a break reminding Paul of his duty this summer to help him hunt for his bride.....the boys start heckling him and we end our phone call.
Hitting our knees together before drifting off with baby....it's so clear Jehovah's hand as been on every part of our journey here. We can't wait to be back in the rich harvest He's called us to. Lord, purify us that we may be Jesus to the ones who have yet to hear! Knowing our guest house is being prepared for our mission compels us to greater faithfulness. It's all, only for you, our Lord of Glory!

We long to see you honored in our land.

Prepare us!

Quicken us!

May we only delight in Your Word!

Remain in You and bear much fruit!

The very purpose of our union on this earth
that YOU will be seen and adored because
of our obedience.
That we will decrease as YOUR Kingdom Comes!
That all may know that YOU alone are the Christ,
the Son of the living God! And coming soon to
judge the world in sin and righteousness.
May we be without shame on that great day.

Let us be poured out unto You, our precious Lord
and Christ.....for You alone are our life.

2010-03-06T22:27:00.000-08:00

Mommy's New Love!!

An Expert in Relaxation.....Mommy needs to take some lessons from Me!!

Aunt Joycie Graham! We love you! Thank you for watching me the first time Mommy and Daddy went for groceries....I am ok with that!

Stare-down contests started day one! I take it much more seriously than my Daddy~

2010-03-06T22:09:00.000-08:00

Let the fun Begin!! Aunt Jan's home with the Girls During Isaiah's Labor~

Midwife Extradonair!! Thank You, Wendi for delivering me! Weighing out to a healthy 8.8! Sure felt like more than that to my Mommy!!

Adopted Aunt Elaine Bates.....Mommy's brother John's mother in law and one of my biggest fans--day 2~

Proud Daddy in between speaking engagements...Day 2! Still at Jan's home...my birthing spa :))

2010-03-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

February special

2010-03-01T22:58:00.000-08:00

Little one is here!! In our arms, at last.

I am becoming the kind of mom I never thought I would be! The absolute spoiler...not able to bear it when he cries, hardly putting him down, feeding
baby at his every whim.....this madness has got to stop! I am going to make things
impossible for service back in India as babe is learning to be the boss! :)

He sleeps looking like an angel now and a thousand things I have to do, (and finally can!), run through my mind as he makes his little sweet sighs.....My great battle--
do I rest when baby does or finally tackle my list that's been growing since before labor began!

Paul is now at my brother, Matt's place down the road doing our wash. I have been reveling in God's grace over us, giving us our condo and space just in the nick of time! The church bells ringing in the distance just down Central Ave along with the palm branches waving in my bedroom window have been special extras of His grace as I have laid in bed healing, waiting on Him, loving my baby the last 3 weeks.

It's all been a whirl-wind of a culture shock for my man---in who's culture
Mom and dad and siblings take over and share all your duties with new baby. Usually you move back in with parents. Here in the West the Daddy's are the Hero! If you are so lucky. Paul has jumped in head first with no turning back.....not a complain from my man who sets up his little man caves with baby to give mom a little sleep in the wee hours. They are very content and pleased with each other.

The Love Factor that enthralls us, that keeps us captivated by every little sound and grimace is God's great weapon of choice connecting us to the constant care of our offspring! "Oh, what a face, look at you, little lover....." Oh, I know, Honey, he is so precious.....wait--IS THAT CLOCK OFF ??? Is it really 2:45 am.??!"
True Event! Without this great love effect that sweeps in and literally takes your life by storm--I don't think our babies would get the tender loving care they need to grow and thrive into loving adults with hearts after God and givers in society!

The greatest responsibility ever handed down to Paul and I should terrify us--molding the very view of God for the life of our baby boy.....but rather there is a holy fear, a recognition of our complete and utter dependence on God just like in all other areas of life and a quiet excitement that just sort of bubbles beneath the surface when considering God gave this duty to us!! To us sinful people, to shape our child's faith and prepare Him to reign with Christ in eternity.
This is awe awakening.
We are just only setting our toes in the water....discovering what parenting is.
The gift, the work, the joy, the heart aches...so much ahead.
We are in for the long-hall.

Lord, awaken in us the pure desire to know YOU!
To be among the ones who See You in all--who are true
worshipers in spirit and in truth
through all tasks and silent breaks between the cries and the diaper changes.
Awaken, Lord of Hosts--an unquenchable thirst for Your Word!
Ripen our hearts with greater hunger for You.
Purge away from me, Father every carnal desire and gravity towards
the world--for friendship therein is death--is the enemy of You.
May I be one Spirit with You, my Lord!
Jehovah--You are altogether Worthy and True and GLorious!
I confess that YOU alone are Lord and beside You there is no
other--on earth or in heaven above.

let us be the ones who adore Your Name above food and drink
and all. Even my Lord, above this sweetest adoration you've
filled our hearts with in granting this first fruit.
May we cherish Your Name most, may the role that You have
given us only propel us on the truest devotion we have
ever known.
Purify my heart, oh Lord and remove all that
is filth and self-serving, all that would lust for comforts
and ease, and independence and privacy.
Purge away this dross that will keep my son from seeing Your
True Self.
This is the cry of my heart.....that just as Paul, my
covering in this life was lead to Your heart through
the purity and righteousness of his mother--may my honest
walk before YOU in our home, in our church, in our public
life awaken in Isaiah sincere longings for YOU.
May my love and devotion to YOUR Word first cause our boy to be
a man who keeps his word, who protects the poor, who
fights for truth, for justice, who seeks YOUR face above
all other pursuits in life.
May our Love for one another, for the Gospel, give Isaiah
William a love for both our countries, a passion for the lost
and a fire in his heart to handle the sword valiantly as
an Advocate of Your honor and Kingdom wherever the soles of his
feet shall tread.

Thank you for this blessed life. May we be faithful, Holy
Father. May we be quick to catch each other, to walk in the
spirit in the secret places, to abide with You in every corner
of our minds.
May You alone have the preeminence.

In Jesus' Name
Amen

Baby's Due Date~

2010-02-10T20:01:00.000-08:00

What an amazing week....Any moment now-life as we know it shall be changed forever.

Just topped off a Bowl of strawberry Breyers with added banana and blueberries. :) Seems to be the only meal I revel in now that doesn't come back with the vengeance. :) (TMI-I know, sorry!)

Lord, that Thou wouldst grant the most precious gift of Your own life! That You would chose to come! To clothe and even cover us sinful people---then over and above give Your daily grace, Your Shepherding--and Now, our little one being knit together in darkness, in the quiet with His Maker's love--I am undone.
There is no word. "Gift", "treasure", "blessing"--these all fall so short of the thriving life within we anxiously anticipate.

What a wonder--that God would choose this timing--our American experience wrapped up in our first pregnancy journey. My family! My food :) My humor--my language! It's all been amazing and the growth for Paul and I since we landed in Phoenix is evident in the strength of our unity. We praise Him!

The support and care Paul and I have received from the body of Christ in this time has been unlike anything we have every witnessed....in other mommies-to-be stories or missionaries. It has been overwhelming, compelling and humbling in every way. It has kept us on our face before our Lord; it has fueled our fire anew to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, to see this baby as God's great champion to the nations, to give our all for our King. May we be faithful. And to think one of my great worries at Christmas time was a little bassinet and wash clothes for baby. Now we hardly have space for all his stuff! God loves to keep us fools for Him. ;0)
I have never known another way with Jehovah! He is always on time--tho I feel just barely. :) He loves to save the day and keep me fully hanging on Him.

Exceedingly anxious to hold our precious one, to stare at his little face and kiss his hairy head. Can hardly imagine how perfect He will be! I confess, thinking about him is an obsession. We praise God and anticipate a great time of worship during his labor however that will look. I am resting in the fact HE will do as HE pleases. In this, I can truly say I have found my peace. I am content with whatever God decides; this is the precious time for Paul and I and my cup is full.

My Paul has just been awesome! Especially his sweet care in my contractions. He is a good distracter, coming close rubbing my head praying over me and helping me focus on intercession and off myself. He is good at that. :)
It still could be days before baby.... ‘Foxes Book of Martyrs’ has also been a great distracter keeping perspective.
As I keep hearing from seasoned mothers as, Sharon Engram--"boys want to stay inside their mothers as long as possible" :) Though ready to burst, I must remind myself to give God thanks for where we are now, to enjoy our precious one's movements and worship our Maker in the Moment.

The sweetest, joyous time. As Scarlett said at the cafe gathering, "It is truly amazing how God is granting all the desires of your heart, Molly". It is something. I would have never imagined the joy ahead of me just five years back. The dark valley of waiting is now a cherished part of my life, seeing His sovereign finger-prints preparing my fragile heart for all He had coming. He is Great and Greatly to be praised!

“Arise! Shine! Your light has Come, and the glory of the LORD has dawned” Isaiah 60:1

all things are possible

2010-02-10T08:54:00.001-08:00