Rest and Renewal

This time in Delhi has been a blessing for us, but also has been a retreat of sorts. We've been separated from our work in Shimla and Himachal Pradesh but have been able to use this time to reflect and fix some of the issues that have arose in our own hearts. I believe that everyone needs a time to sit back and just listen to the Lord as he shows us little hidden issues that we have not seen in a long time. We will not only return to Shimla with a baby, but with a renewed vision and passion. I know that we are in a rare circumstance to completely pack up our lives and move for a month, but I do pray that you will find rest this Christmas. The kind of rest that renews your heart and your soul and leaves you fulfilled with a purpose that comes only from the Lord.

that big ole' belly!

well, we are coming near the end and i think it is hilarious the way my belly looks. I feel like you can't get the full effect unless you see the belly itself...I really hope men don't look at this site because that would be pretty embarrassing. As you can see, I got the line and I hope it goes away. Levi always laughs at me when I am changing because he says I look so funny...and I must say that I agree with him. I praise the Lord for no stretch marks so far! Only like a week or two to go and hopefully this big ole' belly will shrink a little!

Saying Goodbye

One of the hardest things to do here is to say goodbye. We have never had to say that word so many times. It feels like we live a life of hi's and goodbyes...and I must say that is one of the hardest things about this job. This week we had a party and said goodbye to two couples. The first one is a retired couple from the states who had planned on staying for another three years and then last year found out he has Lou Gehrig's disease...it has progressed and they must go home. So sad. We will miss them as she has been the nurse when we were stressing over sickness and he has booked tickets for us when we couldn't make it to the mall to get them. They are major servants, Mississippi born and bred, and have been special to us.

The next couple is an even harder goodbye. We met at FPO and have hung out ever since. They spent last Thanksgiving with us, we stay with them when we pass through Delhi, and now their 2 years are up. Amberley found out she was pregnant just months after I did and we have had so much fun being pregnant together. It is almost like a dream for them to be leaving. I can't let it take root in my mind that they won't be coming back in a few weeks. But their families are in Arkansas and that is not far at all from MS so we have already made plans to meet again. We love them and will not be able to replace this sweet friendship that will now be separated by much more than an 8 or 9 hour journey to the city.

Christmas time is coming!

We are staying in an older couple's house while we are here in Delhi. They are not "old" just older. They retired in the states and can afford some of the "finer things in life" here in Delhi so we have enjoyed their nice house and nice furniture. For us, Delhi has been a whole new world. We are just country people who can sit on the front porch for hours and dream about our kids growing up with animals of all kinds, sports, and lots of time outside. The city has definitely given us a change of pace. We are shocked that we like it so much! We really miss our "home" in Shimla and just the village life, but it has been so awesome to be amongst so many western things while here. There is an awesome export store here where I have racked up on house stuff, and at least 4 shirts for pregnancy. The malls are decked out with Christmas and there are times where Levi and I are frozen in awe! I don't think Wyatt will show up before Christmas, we are hoping he will wait until after Christmas is over so we can still have a big Christmas breakfast and a good lunch with my mom and our friends here in Delhi. Here are some pics of what our place looks like for Christmas this year.

 I love the stockings! So cute!

 I've gone crazy shopping this year. Levi (AkA Scrooge) has handled buying stuff pretty good. As long as I can space out the buying by a couple of days, he doesn't have too many melt downs! ;) I have to make sure I buy him something almost every time and then he is happy. Pitiful!

 This is a German advent calendar. It has chocolate in it for each day until Christmas

I got these decorations at the export store. I definitely love that place! I brought the candles from Shimla. They came last year from America for Christmas. Nothing better than the smells of Christmas!

Christmas is coming!

Well, I'm not enjoying preggo pics of myself these days. I'm 36 weeks here! But I had to post a picture of the German Christmas Mela's gingerbread house in Delhi. Levi and I were in Shimla last year for Christmas and didn't see many decorations at all. It didn't really feel like Christmas. This year we are in Delhi and are experiencing a totally different feel. We get to go to an English speaking church where we can sing Christmas Carols and we get to go to malls and see all kinds of Christmas decorations. There is even an export store here with tons of Christmas stuff for sale. We are loving this!