Valentine's Day 2010

(my hubby made signs for me)

I know I'm a couple days late posting about Valentine's Day. We've been extremely overwhelmed with trying to find a new place to live. Like everything else about this country, the process to find a place takes a long time. (The only problem with this is we don't have a long time. We have till March 1 to be out of our house.)
Please pray that our Father will provide a new place for us to "shift" to soon. Pray for peace and assurance during this time of transition.

Phil. 4:6 "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Now back to the Valentine's Day post...

We got to enjoy a dinner at a local Italian restaurant we'd been wanting to try out. We shared the bruschetta and ravioli. (Not Italian Gardens, but still super yummy!) 

(me with the bruschetta)

Then we went and celebrated with some Cocoberry, frozen yogurt. We are always looking for reasons to celebrate with this amazing treat, and I think we succeed. The guys all know us and our orders!

This time I did branch out though, banana yogurt with strawberries, granola, and white chocolate chips. 

( Valentine's Day at Cocoberry)

We eyeballed these mugs months ago, but needed a reason for the splurge. We think they will be good keepsakes to remember this adventure for years to come. 

Remember our Valentine's Day in India. 

Remember when I started drinking coffee. (Not just those $5 drinks from Starbuck's)

Remember every morning, sipping on coffee while spending time with the Father through His Word and prayer.

Remember looking over and seeing the leader of our house on the other couch doing the same.

Remember the overwhelming love of the Father.

John 3:16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

Guess who...

Can you guess who's hair this is?

It's my Hubby's hair believe it or not. I know it looks a lot darker in the pile on the floor, but I promise it's from his head. I took a picture to prove his new do...

Handsome Hubby!

You never know what his hair is going to look like. I love to joke that he's had way more hair styles since we've been together than I have! Guess that's what happens when you marry a hair stylist though.

 Oh, and while I was taking his picture these sweet little boys were posing for their own photo session.

A First.

Being in the big city has the big city feel. People are very friendly, but very busy. They love to meet you for a cup of coffee, but that's about it. 

 

(my friend B, me, and her sister S)

10 months after being here we finally were invited into one of my friend's homes for dinner. It was so fun! We had great conversations about their time in America last year. It's always interesting to see how someone else would describe it. They couldn't get over the fact that we have to carry our own bags at the hotels! B's mom says that was the first time in 45 years that she's ever carried her own bag. They were also talking about how friendly New Yorkers were. I just laughed and told them about some true Southern hospitality! They've promised to come and visit us sometime in Arkansas! Can't wait to hear those stories.

We loved getting to eat some yummy home-cooked Indian food.

(mutton, rice, paneer, and chutney)

(buttered parantha and Sprite)

This is Ceaser! He loved Joe. The whole time we were eating he just insisted to sit right by Joe. 

He liked me after I slipped him a piece of my parantha. hehe

Can't wait to go back. We are planning a BBQ soon!!

 

Temples

Mark 15:38 "And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom."

We had the opportunity the other day to go to a local Sikh temple. This temple was pretty quiet and uncrowded. I found it interesting that we had to walk through flowing water to clean our feet before we could enter. We also were to cover our heads.
I observed many different types of worshippers. Some sat against the wall, some sat with their legs crossed in the middle of the room, while others laid prostrate with their face buried in the floor. It was overwhelming to see their public devotion.

Here are a few pictures:

(They provided our head coverings for us. *Make-up on Ams... see previous post)

I couldn't help but think about this experience while I was reading in 1 Kings this morning. Reading about the temple that King Solomon built and how it was to be built exactly like the Father commanded. How the Father was pleased and His presence filled the Temple.

Before coming to India I really had a hard time wrapping my mind around these stories from the OT. I'm so thankful for all these experiences that help the OT come to life for me and give me hope.

1 Kings 8:60-61 "Then people all over the earth will know that the LORD alone is God and there is no other. And may you be completely faithful to the LORD your God. May you always obey his decrees and commands, just as you are doing today."

Make-Up Artist

I was sharing, with a national friend, about the difference in our culture the other day. One of the biggest difference in the  area of "beauty" is the color of the skin.
Here in India, we see commercials and products that push the product because it lightens the skin. They have bleach as an active ingredient in their Olay soap bars. (I try to steer clear of these products in fear that my skin might become translucent!)
In America, it seems to be quite the opposite. The "sun kissed" look is preferred. You'll find lotions that will supposedly make your skin look darker. (I've tried them, and they just made me look orange!)
Anyway, I really enjoyed sharing the other day with one of my national friends about my experience with the tanning bed. (She had never heard of such a thing) She couldn't get over the fact that I had "laid in a bed of bulbs" consistently for a couple of months just so I wouldn't be the exact shade of my wedding dress. The more I explained, the more silly it sounded!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to a friend's house. She just finished studying cosmetics for 2 months and needed to work on her portfolio. Since my skin, in this culture, is coveted she was excited when I accepted her invitation.
We had a great couple of hours together talking about life, the Word, eating chocolate cake, and taking "snaps" in front of the Christmas tree in her clothes! (Her girls bunked (skipped) class so they could be home for the occasion)
Hope this helps her portfolio! It sure was fun :)

Me and my Make-up artist, Before

During

In Make-up Artist clothes.... After

My Make-up Artist's beautiful daughters, and the Christmas tree.

And because I'm so proud of myself I just have to add... I rode the Metro all by myself! I know people do it everyday, but it was a first for me. Didn't have any problems either, once I found out where I was originally. (It's hard to know where you are going if you don't know where you are right now!)

Made Me Smile.

Today I got a facebook message from a sweet family member. She works with 4th-6th grader on Wednesday nights at her local fellowship. After sharing about us and our travels, the students took the time to write Joe and I letters. They were too cute to not pass up sharing on the blog. The Father always knows when we need an extra smile and word of encouragement.

"What is it like in India? Is it a nice place, Joe and Amberley? It's nice here but Thursday we're supost to get snow, ice, sleet. I forgot, my name is .... How is your family? I forgot to tell you and Joe look like a good couple. Good luck!"

""Joe and Amberley, I love you and I pray for you. I play football. I am 15." (He's actually 10.)

Revenue office, but way crazier

I've heard sermons preached on the topics of patience and perseverance. One thing that I've heard is "Be careful when asking for patience because usually that means that the Father is going to put you in a situation that is going to test your patience." Guess what... We didn't even ask for it, but we got it!
Since our return to the city, we've had to register with the government. This registration office is a lot like the Revenue office except picture less structure and more people. Crazy!!! To register it requires that you travel to the main office within the first 14 days of being in country, give copies of every important document that you've ever owned, and promise to let the government know anytime you plan to move or leave. (Makes me a little nervous, but "you gotta do what you gotta do" right?)

We first went on Monday. After hours of lines and hundreds of people, we were told that we needed our lease to be notarized and different information regarding our school admissions. We were able to get the notary done on Monday. Paid way too much for it, but we got it!
Tuesday we spent the day tracking down the school administrator (who happens to live next door, literally!) and getting the correct paper work. It needed to be addressed as a "bona fide" letter. Check. Check.
Today we went back to the registration office. After sitting for a 3 more hours, we finally got registered.  Woohoo. What's funny is we saw some of the same people from Monday there today. Guess we weren't the only ones that had to get different documents.
We had to celebrate our trial of patience and perseverance with our favorite dish, MoMo's!!

This Nepali man cooks up incredible momos just right around the corner from our house. We've enjoyed building a friendship with him. I think he even missed us while we were gone to the States. I know we missed him!

Here's a pic of momos. I found it online. Our momos look just like that, just served in random bags instead of nice china plates. (Last nights momos were served in a denture cleaner bag!)

And, just had to wish our little nephew, Carson Jack, a  Happy Half Birthday today!!!
Auntie Ams and ChaCha love you so much.