The Dream Becoming Reality

Countdown has begun...50...49...48 days. Once we get closer, we'll start counting hours and minutes. That's how most of us work. When we've been awaiting the arrival of something impending, we start countdowns. Like a Christmas advent or summer vacation. But this is not just another annual countdown. This is the great countdown, to the much-anticipated trip of our lives. This is our countdown to India! Yes, we finally have our airfare, which means we have actual dates now. It's been over 2 years of dreaming and researching. Planning and pining. Budgeting, scrimping, saving, and often, needing to sacrifice that savings for life's unexpected and unplanned necessities and emergencies. But...the time has finally come! I can almost imagine hearing the great countdown of American space shuttles' impending departures...."T-10 seconds and counting..." I can hardly imagine that we are finally going! It's almost like how a bride or mom-to-be feels like when they are expecting that big day. You can only do so much "learning" about what it will be like. Eventually, it will be the "living" that you finally realize the fullness of what you have committed to. Yes, we are aware of the poverty, the dirt, the possibility of sickness, even disease. We realize that we will face serious culture-shock. But again, how does this differ from marriage and motherhood? Those also come in an un-tidy little package of frustrations and disappointments. But, oh, the blessings and wonderful times and memories that are gained! My husband often uses the very good and wise saying, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Another that comes to mind is, "Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all." So, in 48 days, we will begin our venture and love every minute of it!

Indian Visa & Birthday Sari

Well, again, it's been a very long time since posting. But, things are beginning to accelerate regarding our "used-to-be-hopeful" trip to Mumbai, India! Status has changed to..."we are going!!!" We finally received our much-anticipated Indian visas!!! In my humble opinion, they are pretty, lol. Of course, we are still saving for airfare, but we do have some of it in a travel savings account. And, my "oh so smart" husband advance paid many of our basic bills, so the next couple paychecks will go toward our trip. All in all, we are getting more excited about finally going to India! Oh, Bharat/Hindustan!!! (Other names for India)

Another tidbit is that David took us out to our favorite Indian/Nepalese restaurant for my birthday last night! Yes... I know... shocker... right?! But, the catch? Well, here's the story. Seema is a very sweet Nepalese lady that has served us there many times. We talk about all sorts of things and ask each other many questions. A couple times ago, the subject of saris came up, and I had to confess that I had some and knew how to wrap them. So, she challenged me to wear a sari the next time we came. Well, what better occassion than my birthday! So, Tabitha and I got all fancy-shmancy'd up! I almost felt like Cinderella walking in. Most of the restaurant staff (and owner), and even a couple of patrons were quite suprised. Some of the staff have seen me wear one of my salwar suits, but never a sari. Seema was super excited to see me dressed up so. She even hugged me twice! It really was just so much fun, and even reassuring. Reassuring, because now I will be able to confidently wrap myself in a sari when we go to India. With our pretty Indian visas, of course!

India & Pakistan History

So, last night we watched the very powerful movie Gandhi. Wow, what a very good movie! I have read little bits here-and-there in my research and reading of India, but this movie really brought it all to light a lot more clearer. You see, I'm not at all interested in political issues very much. But I was glad to really realize the depths of India's independence from British rule, and the sad aftermath of Hindu and Muslim conflicts. It really solidified my understanding of the division (in country and attitude) between India and Pakistan. I'm also reading a book right now that highlights the struggles for Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) to become an independent state from Pakistan (formerly West Pakistan). I truly believe that to know a country (and it's people), you have to know some of the vital part's of it's history. The struggles they have faced. The blood and tears that were shed to make it what it is today. And to have some fathom of understanding as to why there really is such a huge clash between Indians & Pakistanis, Hindus & Muslims. Once again, I can say that I feel just a bit more knowledgable about the nation that Jesus Christ has placed in our hearts to reach with His Gospel!

Planning and Plotting

Well, after a LONG delay in posting, I am finally back again with a bit of wonderful news...we are finally planning a trip to Mumbai, India!!! After much time in prayer, and God's provisions, we have begun the long and tedious task of making arrangements for our long-awaited trip. So far, we have gotten a "game plan" in place for the sights we want to see, and what areas of Mumbai we actually plan to visit. Our hotel is about 99% chosen. Our visa applications (and pictures) are ready to be mailed. We have a pretty good idea of the flights (and cities) we will layover in. I was blessed by my awesome husband with a cam-corder, to video journal the event. We even know approximately when we will be going (much to the chagrin of a dear Indian friend and her warnings of intense summer heat). But, the time is finally nearing!!! After 2 years, it's finally happening! I (almost) never thought I would see the day. All we need now is the most important piece to this whole puzzle...money. But I trust fully that God will provide. Things are already in the works, and so, I cannot wait to update further on our status! Stay tuned.....! :)

Biryani and Saris

Well, here I am again, after a long sabatical. I am the kind of person who needs some inspiration for things, and was lacking a little for any new blogs. But, here I am, and with two wonderful inspirations...biryani and saris!
So, I've now attained a long list of indian cooking accomplishments. I can make naan, jallebis, gulab jamuns, tandoori chicken, aloo gobi, chana masala and so many others that I cannot remember. So, the king of Indian dishes (at least to some food affecionados) is biryani, and I found the greatest, easiest recipe online buy a wonderful sikh man. It may not necessarily be "authentic", but it's truly wonderful and now one of my family's favorite Indian dishes.
And now, the saris. In the two years that we have had a "heart for India", I've never owned or even tried on a sari. But, in one night, I gained 4 saris and learned how to drape them. Basically, I met the nicest Indian lady online, whom I contacted about buying saris. She invited me over, and showed me her array of beautiful saris. She even took the time to help me drape a sari, which was very kind to say the least. As the girl in the Indian Doritos commercial says, it "makes my heart feel good!" LOL!!! If you haven't seen that commercial, you've gotta google it!
All we need to do now, is GO already!!! :)

Hindi or Hindu?

Recently, I was chatting with a cousin online, who had read my blog and was asking if I was Hindu. It dawned on me that I should probably clarify something, for those out there who are unaware of the difference between Hindu and Hindi.

Hindi is the main language of India. It derives from the original sanskrit and is usually written in the devanagari script, not with roman letters that most of us are familiar with. It can be transliterated into roman script though. Although it is the "national" language, many regions have their own language and dialect that is preferred. Punjabi, Tamil, etc. Most middle-class Indian schools will teach English, Hindi, and the regional tongue. We figure knowing Hindi and English should suffice for being a missionary.

Hindu is the main religion of India. Many gods and idols are worshipped in this religion. Kind of reminds me of a religious buffet. People seem to pick and choose which god they will devote their prayers to, especially depending on the circumstance of their life. Need good luck and prosperity? Ganesh is for you. Want a god that likes to indulge and be light-hearted, try Krishna. If one doesn't meet your needs, there's a myriad of others to choose from. Not so in Christianity. There is one God, known by many names: Yaweh, I AM, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Raffa, Jehova Shalom, God Almighty. He is part of the Trinity: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Almost as fingers are part of a hand, so are the Three connected together, but different as well. And the message, or gospel, is so simple...allow Him to be your Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and you will have everlasting life with Him in Heaven. Nothing complicated. And even in His perfect state (of which most Hindu gods struggle), He allows sinners to come unto Him, and He forgives them and changes them. He doesn't expect perfectionism from us, only obedience and surrender. I would much rather serve a God that cannot be "appeased" by mere human convincings. I am grateful for my God, my Savior, Who loves me, despite me. No other god can compare to that.

Sickness and Soup

Sometimes in life, you just don't have much new to say. Thus my delay in adding new posts. But, I think it's a good time to post now (while the kids are upstairs preoccupied). I had a wonderful success with making my own Indian recipe last night! My poor husband caught a cold from my daughter, and was miserable yesterday. So, last night I decided to make chicken soup. Actually, I was nearly begged to make it. But I did not feel like making my typical plain 'ol boring chicken soup. I was really inspired to add a touch of Indian flare to it. You see, I tasted a really wonderful version at our favorite Indian/Nepalese restaurant, and was hoping to find a close comparison recipe. But, to no avail. Neither my precious collection of Indian books, nor the Internet provided a satisfactory end result. I was about to just give up, but the poor hubby looked a bit defeated when I said I couldn't find a suitable recipe. So, with determination, lots of Indian cooking experience, and a "batting average of 500" (as my DH says), I armed myself with a bunch of veggies, some chicken and a variety of my Indian spices, and went to work. In about 45 minutes I had prepared one of the best Indian meals I have ever created! So, along with the Indian books I've read, the Bollywoods I've watched, the Hindi words I've learned, the accent I've aquired, the clothing and accessories I have purchased and worn, and now the knack for cooking Indian foods, I feel like I am truly becoming Indian. Now, if only I could just get to India!