Visit from Home!

The Lances come for a two week visit. They will be here another few days. We will spend them in the Delhi heat as we shop and go to the Taj Mahal before they head out. Here are some pics of the fun we have had so far!

A year already?

One year ago, we boarded a plane that would take us on a journey to change our lives forever.  I'll never forget the day we left Memphis, TN. We stopped at Kyotos to eat our last meal in country. (still think that was the best decision ever!) We went with our families to the airport and our flights got changed so we had little time to say goodbye. We had never been to this country and had no idea what to expect. We were not prepared for the change that would take place in our lives. Here are some of the memories we will never forget:

• Our first Indian meal. One sweet little boy was sick from jet lag and threw up all over the table! Rough and Unforgettable!
• The first time we were surrounded by children begging for money. Broke our hearts and we will never get used to it.
• Our first time in language school. This was when Levi got so sick and ended up in the hospital. It is also the time where his heart was truly broken and a deep love for India that came from the giver of more than we can ask or imagine.
• The first time we came to Shimla. We were overwhelmed with our new home and had no idea where to buy anything! We found ourselves sitting inside for 2 days trying to figure out what to do.
• The first house we ate at. We were not prepared! Now I take a ziploc in my pocket to every home. (just in case)
• The many days being taught "how to do life" by nationals 
• The week that the language started coming together.
• The first time to share our favorite news in Hindi.
• The first time we taught a large group. We were so nervous! Now it comes as second nature!
• The first time I went to the special needs school. Now I feel at home there.

We praise the Father for new experiences and now seeing them as common. We can honestly say the first impressions were not very good. We look back on those days and laugh as our hearts have completely changed. We are filled with the knowledge that our Father who sent us here had some changes to make in us before we could fulfill his purpose. We see those changes very clearly. Some came easily, some were very difficult, but all of them were much needed. 

Refocused

Sorry for the lack of pics lately. I will post some soon!

We are back from a couple of weeks and enjoying time with our in-laws. I must go back a few weeks, however, and update on our lives. We had gotten news that our closest friends/work partners here in Shimla will be moving about 8 or 9 hours away from us. They leave in June. For some reason, this really broke us! We've been in India for a year in July with no break and the cultural wear and tear tends to take its toll sometimes so we thought we just "had to have a vacation". We've been saving vacation days up and thought we would use them this summer or "perhaps we won't survive".

Our supervisor realized we were struggling and sent us to visit a friend in the North East. We did some work with them for about a week or so and found just what we needed. We live in a hard area to do the things we do...this area was totally the opposite. It was so open and easy, and we found ourselves refreshed. We also were able to really connect with these new friends and as we dug in the word together, we refocused. Then in between cities, we found ourselves at our friends house where we laughed hard, unloaded, and encouraged one another on. Thanks Futterers! What we thought we needed was a vacation, but our Father knew that we really just needed to refocus, get back on track, and know....deep, deep, down that He is in control and is doing all for His glory and our good!

Where do we find ourselves truly satisfied? When He is being glorified. When we get off focus and find ourselves broken at the idea of being lonely, ect. He has to remind us...all for Him, all to Him, all about Him. And this is where we find ourselves again. Praise Him.

When we really need to go home...

It seems that the past few weeks have been such a struggle for us. We find ourselves longing for home. Today we got to watch Blind Side and felt like we were right there back at home as we laughed and I cried and talked about...well, MY dreams to take in every kid in Memphis and Levi tried to change the subject! :) We went down a road that we try to avoid as we talked about everything that we love back home. Then I went upstairs to get ready for church tonight. As I was digging through my closet, I found some Bath and Body Works glitter lotion and some new makeup that I packed before we left the states. So now I smell, look AND feel like I could walk outside this house and see everyone I know and love!

Of course, I will see many that I know and love when I walk out of this house in a few minutes. I will speak a different language, wear different clothes, and even approach these people a lot differently than in the states. But the love we have for them is the same and that is what makes us thrive, even through the times where our Mississippi homes are calling our names! Thank you Lord for giving us a beautiful day to celebrate where we are from and for giving us a heart for where we are. We are very thankful.

Need a little grace these days

I'm having to pray for a lot more grace these days. Our country has been experiencing visa problems and we are seeing so many of our friends leave the country while we are being asked to stay. It is so hard not to compare our situation with others. It is a dangerous road to take...the journey of comparisons and we have been convicted by the Lord to avoid it at all costs. But I must admit that we are tired, a little worn down, and pretty stressed with new decisions and responsibilities coming our way. At times I feel that I should not desire a vacation that the desire shows my shallow attempts at living overseas. If I were "hard core" I could handle living here for many years without leaving. We love it here, love our friends, our neighbors, and our life...but lately we have been quick to snap, quick to get frustrated, and in need of a lot of grace.

Levi's parents are coming in close to 2 weeks. We are thankful for God's providence. He knew we needed this time to unload and just have parents to love on us and comfort us.

Just the two of us!

People ask us all the time if we have a baby plan. This is a great question! Honestly, I have never thought about having kids....until this year. We love being together and love our life, our independence, and our freedom to go wherever, whenever without worrying about anyone else....but God is doing something so much bigger than us. This year we have seen God changing our hearts (especially mine) and preparing us for something else. We are not sure what this will look like, or when this will take place, but we are slowly opening up to the idea that our "family" may not always be just the two of us!

But for now, I must say that I couldn't ask for more. Levi and I are the best of friends. I never thought that I could spend so much time with another person and enjoy it this much. We have definitely been so blessed! So until we "know" that it is time to grow our family, then the two of us will keep on traveling, keep on working as partners and we will keep enjoying our time alone.

I really love to take pictures with our camera, but I always find it awkward to take pictures of the people. I know I will always be a "tourist" in many ways, but after living here for a while, I feel so weird taking pics of people like a tourist. But, on this last trip I made an extra effort and pointed my camera at some of my favorite people groups. Hope you enjoy!

 

Of course I had to add this picture because I think it is HILARIOUS! Tom Cruise really gets around, right?