My Cleaners Perspective on Being Poor

Well before even moving to Garden City I'd been praying for a sweet cousin lady to be my new cleaner (a cleaner is a very common thing to have here especially since there's no dishwashers, lots of dust, and lots of people who need employment...and it's not expensive). I was so close to my cleaner in Kite City, whom I miss so much, and therefore desiring someone I could be close to again. This person comes into your house six days a week, they see you on wonderful and not so wonderful days, they become the most intimate friend to you and your kids because again, they're always in your home. Therefore, who this person is is very important to me, and I'd been praying for her.

After we moved into our new home, almost a month ago, the lady who helps clean the building, 'Sha', offered to clean my house as well. She'd always been really kind whenever she'd seen us before, and had already helped with getting our house ready for my family to arrive. The timing of when she could come clean wasn't my favorite, but we told her that would be fine unless we found someone who could do it at better times during the day. 

Since she's been coming Elise has no doubt taken a liking to her. She wants to see her wherever she is, smile, wave, say "Hi", and basically just follow her around. Regardless of what Elise is doing, when my Sha comes in Elise will stop to watch her and say Hi to her like 20 times in a row. It's so cute :) 

I've been able to have a good bit of conversations with her even though she's been here such a short time. I'm thankful that I already have a base in Urdu so that I can talk to her, as opposed to when I first moved to India. 

One day she was telling me how she likes working for me and that she doesn't feel trouble or problems, only rest in my home. She's actually told me that on numerous occasions. However, this particular day she started elaborating in saying that foreigners like me are all good people and all Indian people are bad people...this is a common thing for people to say. I corrected her by saying that some foreigners and Indians are good, and some foreigners and Indians are bad. I'd met plenty of good, kind Indians. It didn't matter where you're from, there's the same kind of people everywhere. 

She went on to tell me that it's like I see her and I'm not different to her. She said that Indian people know that she's poor so they tell her to go over there or somewhere else because she's poor. But I treat her just the same as I do other people. She didn't used to be poor growing up, but now that she's married and has her own family she is.

I explained that the people who are that way are followers of Jesus. I went on to say that God made all people and to God they are all equal. So, when I look at her or someone else they are the same in my eyes as well.

My heart hurts for her. It seems like she has a deep wound that only the Lord can heal. I pray that He uses me to speak His love into that wound and her heart. 

Eating is a Luxury

I have two thoughts in regards to the title "Eating is a Luxury":

First, being a mom of two small children I've come to realize just that, that eating is a luxury. If you actually have the time to put food in your own mouth it's awesome. Each meal my focus is on making sure my kids get fed and during dinner my husband as well. Neal's really good about helping me when he's here, so usually he helps feed Elise, or makes sure Elijah's food isn't going all over him when we sit down together in the evenings. But, when the kids are on different nap schedules during the day, and when lunch time for one and the beginning of nap time for the other are at the same time, it's hard to think about your own needs in regards to food. I've heated, reheated, and reheated my food so many times it's practically tasteless. But, that's ok, and that's just the normal life of a mom :)

Second thought in regards to the title is that eating is a luxury for so many people. Living in India makes me realize the plethora of food that comes in and out of my house. Not only does my family have plenty, we have over abundantly. I'm not complaining about that because I feel so blessed. But I realize how much I have when I talk to poorer families who tell me they ate rice and bread for dinner. Or, their kids ate a portion smaller than my fist and then went to bed. For many of he poorer communities here that size portion is even an abundant blessing.

"Give us this day our daily bread..." (Matthew 6:11)

Honestly, these words aren't something I've ever had to pray. But for so many here in India I'm sure they plead with the Lord for just that, because to them, eating is a luxury.

Our New Home (Pics of each room)

Here's pictures of our new house in Garden City! We Love it! We're so thankful the Lord has blessed us with a beautiful home, with great sunlight, an awesome cross breeze, incredible view of the city, lots or trees, a residential neighborhood where we feel comfortable walking with the kids & stroller to the store or just for exercise, and a strategic area for why we're here. 

I'll explain each group of pics as if I'm giving you a tour :)

When you walk in the door you step into our living room/family room area (with our dining room on your left). At our old house we had a separate front room and family room, which is why we have separate couch sets. We weren't sure it was going to work, but it's turned out great!

Left Picture: If you look to the left when you walk in the front door you see the guest bathroom & Elijah's room. (Also you'd see the dining room table, but that's in another picture)     Right Picture: Looking to the right when you walk in the front door.

Here's Elise looking out the living room windows at the city, and the the view itself. 

Then standing from Elise's spot in the above picture in our living room you turn around and see our dining table (and Elijah's room on the right). It's such a big open space, which we really enjoy because it not only allows so much sunlight and the breeze to go through the house, but it's a great space for the kids to play.

To the left of the dining table is our kitchen, which is the largest kitchen I've ever had. It's completely open on the one side, which helps when I have to spend such a long time cooking cause I can still see the kids. 

Walking into Elijah's room, you can see his double doors going out to his balcony & a full length window beside them. 

 

 

Here's mine and Neal's room. The door beside the full window leads to the front balcony, which is my favorite.

 I love the view! I'm hopeful to get two small wicker chairs for this balcony.

Here's Elise's room, which is right beside our room. You get to both of our rooms by way of a small hall right off of the family room.

I've always enjoyed rocking my babies, so whenever we're in our home and I can sit in my rocker my heart is so full! Also being able to feel the breeze and look outside at the greenery and neighborhood blesses me! I've longed for such things here in India. 

Here's the sunset view from Elise's window beside the rocker. 

The picture below is the opposite side of her room. The french doors lead out to a balcony that connects with Elijah's. Her room gets the best cross breeze because of the windows that are on both sides of the room. 

 Thanks for coming to see our home :)

Only in India # 52

Only in India do you find interesting warning signs like this one:

When someone has received an electric shock... do this... give them a "quick relief massage"

and then if that doesn't seem to help, take them to a doctor (Duh.- who always will look like this Japanese man in the photo :)

Finally give them another massage if they receive "death to negligence".

Wow! I feel so informed! I am ready for this next time!!

New Home

We have been enjoying our new home.

It feels like a sanctuary from the busyness of life here... it has been nice also for the kids to have their own rooms to sleep in.

There is a constant breeze since the monsoon has been here for well over a month now!
With that in mind we have been (especially Elise) suffering from colds. But it still has been so nice to have a large open area for the kids to play, more room for our items.

We hope and pray that this would be a place of comfort and conversations with new friends and neighbors. Also a place to meet early with our Lord, and rest well at night.

As you can see we love all the light in the day.

May it be used by God to bring comfort to many!

First Local Friend

I'd taken Elijah and Elise to the park one late afternoon and while Elijah was playing I met a kind woman. She had two boys, the oldest nine years and the youngest three.  We talked for a while until other women and children came to get my attention. Instead of walking off or saying goodbye she just waited. Waited patiently till they were finished talking, then continued our conversation. She struck me so differently than so many others. Her patient and gentle spirit was really what drew me to her...and the kindness in her eyes, which was all I could see because she was wearing a burka. 

She invited us to her house, so, we exchanged numbers and I called her later to arrange when we could meet. I took Elijah along on the visit, knowing he could make some new friends. When we arrived on their street the oldest son took Elijah under his wing as if he was his brother. He was so excited to have him visit...he wanted to show him everything.

The oldest showed Elijah all his school work and talked to him about what he was learning. The youngest son woke up from his nap and at first was really shy around the two of us. Once he warmed up, he immediately went to get a car to show Elijah, which is of course his favorite. They played cars in the front room on the table,  then in the side room where all the extra cars were located. To my surprise they played for an hour together, and they only had one instance where they weren't sharing.

 Chai, with a snack is of course always served. What's interesting here, as opposed to Kite City, is they will put the chai in a tea pot, and use china cups and saucers. I was actually thrilled about the tea pot thing because I've always loved them. I brought my favorite white Pottery Barn tea pot from the states with us this time...always being hesitant to do so before..., but unfortunately it broke in the suitcase :( I'll have a get one from here.

The little red cup on the tray was actually for Elijah. She served the boys warm milk and some of the dessert balls in the dish. It was too cute watching them enjoy their "chai"!

Doesn't Elijah look so happy?! He was! He loved being with those two boys playing cars...and my heart was overjoyed!!!

I asked her when we could come back again to visit...her in-laws, who she lives with are very strict and won't allow her to come to my house :( She said she would be really busy till after Ramadan, and then we could return. That time seems so far away, but I'm thankful for a friend whom I enjoy being with, and friends for my son! Thank you Lord, you're good to us!

Pics of the Kids & What They Enjoy

Here's some pictures of the kids here in Garden City. They have come to enjoy many different things, and the pictures will show most of their favorites. It's a lot of pictures, but it's like a story through their eyes of what brings joy.

For Elijah, swinging is not only one of his most favorite things, but it's very soothing to him. He loved swinging in America, but he's struggled so much since we've returned that he longs for the familiarity and solitude that swinging brings. We're hoping to one day get a small swing set for our roof to help Elijah.

Without big bathtubs you have to get creative...so we use small plastic tubs that some people hand wash their clothes in. The kids love it because they aren't too fond of showers :)

No doubt food is something this baby girl enjoys...and she will eat anything and everything now days!

There's a fascination with climbing into each others bed when one is sleeping. You always hear laughter from the next room as they are both now awake and playing. It's something that brings joy to your heart even when nap time is cut short.

 The malls here have play areas for kids that always have balls. Elijah Loves playing in the balls and that's what he always associates malls with...that and coffee :)

 Reading. Elijah has moved past the board books, though he still likes them, and onto the 'big kid' books such as Nemo, his current favorite. He likes looking at the rich pictures and he 'reads' the story to himself. Then when I read the story to him he corrects me with things that aren't actually printed in the book, but they're quoted in the movie.

 While we were staying with our friends when we first moved here Elise discovered their daughters princess castle. She would go into her room and play with the castle everyday we were there. It was the first time she'd ever seen a castle, so it was cute that that's what she gravitated towards...obviously different than my son. I love having a boy and a girl now!

 Standing on our porch overlooking the trees and the street below is something Elijah and Elise do together often. They of course enjoy the outside air, and that I let them go out alone since it's safe.

Elijah's room, as of right now, is the main spot for all the cool toys, especially with his train table in the middle. They love having the table to play trains, cars, animals, anything really. And whatever Elijah is doing, or wherever he is is where Elise wants to be as well :)

 Spinach and fruit smoothy in the morning! Oh yes, both of them always beg for the smoothy. Elise can't actually say it yet, but if she sees Elijah with a cup that looks similar to their smoothy cup she starts grunting and reaching for his cup.

 Elijah enjoys being the big brother by either bringing Elise food when she's playing in her room, or feeding her. He likes to tear her food into small pieces so that they're bite size. What a good helper :)

Walking. Elise took her first steps by herself on June 19th! She's been walking around the house by holding onto things, but, ever since that day she's become more and more risky in stepping out without holding on. She will even stand straight up from a sitting or squatting position and start walking...now that's a good core :)

 Drawing and coloring. Whenever Elijah, or Elise for that matter, are given crayons they tend to just bite them or break them. It's more just frustrating for me than it is fun for them. But, when Elijah's given a pencil, pen, or markers he is really good at drawing, and he always wants to include every color :)

Hanging out on the balcony that connects both of their rooms is such a fun place to play with toys, or run away from Mama or each other.

Elise also really likes being able to swing the door open and shut.

 Look at this girl! There's a wall between their two balconies, but it has a space they can fit through, which is why it's a great area to run from people. This baby girl will squeeze herself between the railing and the wall to go to whatever size Elijah is on. Because she's just now learning to walk, it takes her quite a while to get through.

Playing under the coffee table is a favorite spot, and especially with the Happyland toys. If you're familiar with Little People brand in the states, this is basically the same thing but a British version, which is sold here. They've both always loved Little People, so when we saw these we were thrilled.

Shoes. Elise loves shoes. In India you don't wear your shoes in the house because once they've been out they're gross. So, we have a pile by our door of shoes till we get a shoe stand...and everyday we have to get Elise out of the shoes.

Sneeking into Elijah's room. This girl thinks she needs to always go into Elijah's room when he's sleeping. She knows she's not to do it, so she will play peek-a-boo with the curtain till you notice her. Then she will laugh and continue prancing right into where she's not to go :)

The swimming pool is always a favorite. Gosh, it looked so much bigger when we bought it in Kite City for just Elijah :)