Friday, February 27, 2009
Control issues
Guess what? I am a control freak! I know that this is quite the revelation for those who don't really know me, but my need for control has got to stop. I think that God is using this trip to India to help me let go of my need to control. The past two weeks have continued to be a struggle. Finally, Jeneson and I had a brutally honest 'talk'. Basically, I often want to control what others do, how they react, what they say, etc... and reality is that I cannot. I have to just let it all go. I can barely control myself at times, what makes me think that I can control others. I also need to let go of my expectations. As Jeneson said, 'I'm not even sure if you know what to expect of yourself'. Oh, the things God is teaching me during this trip!
These past couple of days has been a little better. In addition to my revised expectations, Josiah has started playschool. He goes everyday for 2 hours and gets to play with kids his own age. He seems to really like it as he only cried the first day that we dropped him off. Still working on those photos.
These past couple of days has been a little better. In addition to my revised expectations, Josiah has started playschool. He goes everyday for 2 hours and gets to play with kids his own age. He seems to really like it as he only cried the first day that we dropped him off. Still working on those photos.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thanks for the prayers
Thanks for all your prayers. Josiah is feeling back to his normal self. Lydia loves her new bed and slept well last night and today for her naps. My foot still hurts, but the x-rays don't show any fractures. Jeneson and I had a breakthrough this morning. I was yelling at Jeneson that we cannot yell at Josiah anymore after we both yelled at him this morning. So Jeneson declared at least a 24 hour moratorium on yelling. Today has been much better. I have found myself being more gentle with Josiah and in turn he seemed to be more gentle with Lydia today. Please continue to pray that God gives Josiah an obedient, gentle heart and gives Jeneson and I hearts of gratitude, gentleness, patience, and understanding.
I'm still working on those Kerala pictures. I have downloaded, organized, and tagged all 400 some photos and put about 75 of them in a blog folder. I figured that nobody would want to see all 400+ photos. Now if I can only get shutterfly to cooperate. I know that many are keeping up with our blog to keep up with our adventures, but we would also love to get updated from you all. We sometimes feel a little isolated and are missing our friends and family, so if you get a chance, send us an e-mail letting us know how you and your families are doing.
I'm still working on those Kerala pictures. I have downloaded, organized, and tagged all 400 some photos and put about 75 of them in a blog folder. I figured that nobody would want to see all 400+ photos. Now if I can only get shutterfly to cooperate. I know that many are keeping up with our blog to keep up with our adventures, but we would also love to get updated from you all. We sometimes feel a little isolated and are missing our friends and family, so if you get a chance, send us an e-mail letting us know how you and your families are doing.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Not exactly routine
Ok, so since coming back from Kerala, we have not exactly been able to fall back into a routine like I had hoped. Right now we need prayers for health and perseverance. For the last 48 hours Josiah has been sick with vomiting and diarrhea, we started him on medicine and he seems to be doing a little better. I hurt my foot while we were in Kerala and it is just getting worse, so tomorrow I will go and get an x-ray done. Jeneson thinks that it is a stress fracture, I am praying that it will get miraculously better overnight. One thing, it is certainly nice to have a father-in-law who is a doctor. It certainly makes getting medicine and x-rays and seeing an ortho doc much easier.
All this has made both Jeneson and I stressed out. Thankfully we seem to alternate days. On the days that I am frustrated with Josiah and am just wanting to go home, Jeneson has patience with Josiah and is able to put everything into perspective. Likewise, when he is having a bad day, I am able to work better with Josiah and keep perspective. We do have to remind ourselves that we are not here for us, but for the kids and for Dad & Mom. It has been great seeing them interact with the kids, especially Lydia. And, although I do not understand any of the conversation, it has been great seeing Jeneson have some good conversations with his parents. I often remind myself that time, even 24 hours, will give me new perspective on the frustration moments/days.
Today I did go out and get a few things. We bought a little bed for Lydia as she was starting to out grow the suitcase. I also got a little desk with chair for Josiah in the hopes that we will be able to do school time. I have high hopes for getting back in a routine next week. I am also working on getting the Kerala photos together and hope to have them up on the blog in the next week.
All this has made both Jeneson and I stressed out. Thankfully we seem to alternate days. On the days that I am frustrated with Josiah and am just wanting to go home, Jeneson has patience with Josiah and is able to put everything into perspective. Likewise, when he is having a bad day, I am able to work better with Josiah and keep perspective. We do have to remind ourselves that we are not here for us, but for the kids and for Dad & Mom. It has been great seeing them interact with the kids, especially Lydia. And, although I do not understand any of the conversation, it has been great seeing Jeneson have some good conversations with his parents. I often remind myself that time, even 24 hours, will give me new perspective on the frustration moments/days.
Today I did go out and get a few things. We bought a little bed for Lydia as she was starting to out grow the suitcase. I also got a little desk with chair for Josiah in the hopes that we will be able to do school time. I have high hopes for getting back in a routine next week. I am also working on getting the Kerala photos together and hope to have them up on the blog in the next week.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Kerala
First, I want to express my sadness on the death of my cousin, Dwayne Magers. The day before we left for Kerala I called my parents and learned of the car accident that claimed his life earlier that week. Needless to say, I was shocked and saddened. My heart goes out to his wife, Dawn, and kids (Troy, Chad, & Emma) and I think about and pray for them often. It is when something like this happens that we are confronted with our own mortality. How ironic that people were worried for our safety here and the reality is it that accidents and tragedy can happen here, there, or anywhere.
Also, an explanation regarding a comment from a previous post about the penguins in the background of the Handing Gardens pictures. They are actually garbage cans. It is India's attempt to keep the country clean, we have also seen kangaroo and panda bear trash cans.
Well, after a whirlwind tour of Kerala (the southwestern Indian state that Jeneson’s family is from) and a 31 hour train ride, it is good to be back ‘home.’ We stayed with one of Jeneson’s aunts (Shantamama) on his Mom’s side and her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. We visited several relatives on both sides. The hospitality here is amazing, despite the fact that they have not seen Jeneson in more than 30 years, it was like he was never gone. I will certainly not lose any weight while I am here as they show their love with food. I did not dare put more than a small spoonful of anything on my plate because I knew that regardless of how much I served myself, they would most certainly serve me at least one spoonful of every dish (and there were usually 5-6 dishes). If we visited someplace and it was not during a mealtime we were at least served chai (tea) and some sort of snack.
We also got to see some of the sites of Kerala, which they call ‘God’s own country’. It is warm, beautiful, lush and green there with coconut trees, banana plants, pineapple bushes, papaya trees, and a dozen other delicious fruits that I had never before seen or heard of. We even took a houseboat tour for 5 hours in the backwaters. The beaches were clean and the sand nice and soft. Josiah had a blast running in the ocean and getting wet and Lydia even got to dip her toes in the Indian Ocean.
Don’t get me wrong, unfortunately the trip was not all good food and chai, it certainly had its challenges. Despite all the good memories, we said more than once that this trip to Kerala was not one of the smartest decisions we have made. I think it all was a little much for the kids. If it were just Jeneson and I we would have been just fine. One big challenge was the accommodations. The four of us slept on a twin sized bed and the mosquitoes were more prevalent. Shantamama’s grandson, Chackochi is only 6 months older than Josiah and initially we thought ‘great, somebody for Josiah to play with.’ Unfortunately, he is not around other kids much, is aggressive and not really disciplined. Needless to say, we were grateful when he did not go sightseeing with us. Because it was such a whirlwind trip, we spent a lot of time in the truck. Poor Josiah, we always seemed to be telling him ‘no’ and ‘don’t touch’ when we stopped at all the houses. Poor Lydia got so used to sleeping in my arms in a moving vehicle that she now has to readjust to sleeping in a stationary suitcase/bed.
It is amazing how just 48 hours can give you such a different perspective things. Several times during the trip I was on the verge of tears or tearing my hair out from frustration. Looking back, overall I am glad that Jeneson had this opportunity to visit his relatives. His Malayalam (his native language) has improved considerably and it is fun to hear him talk with his parents and sister and all the stories he can now take in and understand better. We will have to get together with our friends Joe & Anne (our only friends who speak Malayalam) regularly once we get back in the States so he can keep it fresh in his mind. We have some great pictures that I am going to have to work on posting in the near future. I now have 2 new goals for this trip. I want to work with Minie on a family tree; a challenge when Dad is the youngest of 10 siblings and Mom is in the middle of 8 siblings. I also want to get some copies of family pictures for us to take back to the States. I think this is a long enough posting for now. I will have more in the near future.
Also, an explanation regarding a comment from a previous post about the penguins in the background of the Handing Gardens pictures. They are actually garbage cans. It is India's attempt to keep the country clean, we have also seen kangaroo and panda bear trash cans.
Well, after a whirlwind tour of Kerala (the southwestern Indian state that Jeneson’s family is from) and a 31 hour train ride, it is good to be back ‘home.’ We stayed with one of Jeneson’s aunts (Shantamama) on his Mom’s side and her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. We visited several relatives on both sides. The hospitality here is amazing, despite the fact that they have not seen Jeneson in more than 30 years, it was like he was never gone. I will certainly not lose any weight while I am here as they show their love with food. I did not dare put more than a small spoonful of anything on my plate because I knew that regardless of how much I served myself, they would most certainly serve me at least one spoonful of every dish (and there were usually 5-6 dishes). If we visited someplace and it was not during a mealtime we were at least served chai (tea) and some sort of snack.
We also got to see some of the sites of Kerala, which they call ‘God’s own country’. It is warm, beautiful, lush and green there with coconut trees, banana plants, pineapple bushes, papaya trees, and a dozen other delicious fruits that I had never before seen or heard of. We even took a houseboat tour for 5 hours in the backwaters. The beaches were clean and the sand nice and soft. Josiah had a blast running in the ocean and getting wet and Lydia even got to dip her toes in the Indian Ocean.
Don’t get me wrong, unfortunately the trip was not all good food and chai, it certainly had its challenges. Despite all the good memories, we said more than once that this trip to Kerala was not one of the smartest decisions we have made. I think it all was a little much for the kids. If it were just Jeneson and I we would have been just fine. One big challenge was the accommodations. The four of us slept on a twin sized bed and the mosquitoes were more prevalent. Shantamama’s grandson, Chackochi is only 6 months older than Josiah and initially we thought ‘great, somebody for Josiah to play with.’ Unfortunately, he is not around other kids much, is aggressive and not really disciplined. Needless to say, we were grateful when he did not go sightseeing with us. Because it was such a whirlwind trip, we spent a lot of time in the truck. Poor Josiah, we always seemed to be telling him ‘no’ and ‘don’t touch’ when we stopped at all the houses. Poor Lydia got so used to sleeping in my arms in a moving vehicle that she now has to readjust to sleeping in a stationary suitcase/bed.
It is amazing how just 48 hours can give you such a different perspective things. Several times during the trip I was on the verge of tears or tearing my hair out from frustration. Looking back, overall I am glad that Jeneson had this opportunity to visit his relatives. His Malayalam (his native language) has improved considerably and it is fun to hear him talk with his parents and sister and all the stories he can now take in and understand better. We will have to get together with our friends Joe & Anne (our only friends who speak Malayalam) regularly once we get back in the States so he can keep it fresh in his mind. We have some great pictures that I am going to have to work on posting in the near future. I now have 2 new goals for this trip. I want to work with Minie on a family tree; a challenge when Dad is the youngest of 10 siblings and Mom is in the middle of 8 siblings. I also want to get some copies of family pictures for us to take back to the States. I think this is a long enough posting for now. I will have more in the near future.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Going native
Well, I think I am starting to blend in a little here. It's that or I'm becoming immune to the looks of disbelief that seem to follow me. I think it helps that when I go out I rarely wear 'Western clothes'. It has also given Mom some direction for when we go shopping, otherwise she will just buy a lot of stuff that I really won't wear. Monday was Republic Day here (think Flag Day) so my niece and nephew did not have any classes. So, the four of us along with Minie (sister-in-law) and Johnathan and Jennifer went to the Hanging Gardens, which is actually not hanging. It is basically a large grassy/garden like area that also has a playground. The weather was beautiful and sunny, but not too hot and there was a nice breeze. Josiah had a grand time running around and loved climbing with his cousins on the playground. And I actually saw some Caucasians for the first time since arriving. I thought it quite ironic that I would find myself staring at them as much as the Indians stare at me!! Does this mean that I am starting to feel at home and comfortable here?
I am certainly getting used to the traffic and crowds. I can risk life and limb and cross the street with the best of them. I confidently walk down the street by myself or with the kids, to the little medical store to buy diapers (which I have to do every couple of days as they only come in packages of 2, 5, or 10), and no longer clench my teeth when riding in a car or rickshaw. It is quite unnerving to have 2 lanes of traffic each way on a road with absolutely no lane markers!! The rickshaw drivers are amazing in that they come within inches of pedestrians, motorcycles, buses and trucks without batting an eye and know the turn around radius of their rickshaw down to the millimeter. On the road at the same intersection you can see bicycles, motorcycles, 3 wheeled rickshaws and small trucks, taxis, buses, big lorry (delivery) trucks, dogs, cows, push carts piled high with banana, garlic, onions, and the like. Certainly a sight to see!
Josiah is slowly getting better and I am thankful to God for providing me with more patience to deal with him. On Saturday we fly down south to Kerala for about 2 weeks and I'm not sure if we are going to be able to get online and blog or not. So, please pray for our continued patience with the kids, safe journeys and a fun and relaxing time.
I am certainly getting used to the traffic and crowds. I can risk life and limb and cross the street with the best of them. I confidently walk down the street by myself or with the kids, to the little medical store to buy diapers (which I have to do every couple of days as they only come in packages of 2, 5, or 10), and no longer clench my teeth when riding in a car or rickshaw. It is quite unnerving to have 2 lanes of traffic each way on a road with absolutely no lane markers!! The rickshaw drivers are amazing in that they come within inches of pedestrians, motorcycles, buses and trucks without batting an eye and know the turn around radius of their rickshaw down to the millimeter. On the road at the same intersection you can see bicycles, motorcycles, 3 wheeled rickshaws and small trucks, taxis, buses, big lorry (delivery) trucks, dogs, cows, push carts piled high with banana, garlic, onions, and the like. Certainly a sight to see!
Josiah is slowly getting better and I am thankful to God for providing me with more patience to deal with him. On Saturday we fly down south to Kerala for about 2 weeks and I'm not sure if we are going to be able to get online and blog or not. So, please pray for our continued patience with the kids, safe journeys and a fun and relaxing time.
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