So, we made it to India safe and sound, thank the Lord! It was an exciting trip from beginning to end, but all in all it went very well, with the kids behaving exceptionally well and we arrived with all our luggage in tact and all accounted for. It all started in the hours of the morning as we stepped into the freezing wind and frost. We quickly bundled up in hats, scarves and gloves and started the 2 ½ hr drive to Berlin. Somehow we got off the wrong exit and I spent a good 30 minutes fretting that we wouldn’t make it. But make it we did, and we, by ‘chance’ got to the right terminal right away. Our bags were checked, weight and all (thanks for everyone’s prayers for this one!) and we were soon doing our first bag scan. The kids loved every bit of the adventure, from pulling their little suitcase carry on bags to going through the different scans, boarding and finding our seats and of course, the flights themselves. We had a short flight to London where I found out that CC does get air sick like her mom and Cherise got a bit sick but refused the ginger that helped CC and I not get sick at all after that first flight. Both the girls had a bit of pressure in their ears but learned how to blow it out so that the second flight was less painful for them both. In London we were able to take our time getting to the next terminal, doing the next scan and even had time to wait. It was a bit overwhelming at first for us all: the huge airport, the fact that you’re not allowed to take liquids in so I had to buy water once in, getting from terminal to terminal by bus, etc, but we did make it in the end. The flight went well and the kids again did very well. I was so thankful I had prepared them way in advance and they knew they’d have to sit quietly for a longer period of time so they were really on their best behavior, which is more than I can say for quite a few of the other kids on the flight, ahem. We ended up staying in the plane for an extra hour on our arrival in Delhi as there was a delay with another plane that was in our gate. Cherise fell asleep shortly before landing and slept through the whole ordeal but had a bit of a rude awakening as she was sleeping in her sweater still and found out just how hot it was on the ground here. Customs went well, Jordan managing to make the customs man grin at his antics and I was able to track down the 4 trunks fairly easily, thank the Lord.Peter was waiting for us (poor guy, it was 3AM by this time) and we were able to sleep the rest of the night and into the morning at a home before getting to the train station. Now that was a whole story for itself. We hadn’t been able to get confirmed tickets ahead of time so we went early, but found that only the two of us adults were booked and we’d have to talk to the conductor once on the train about getting more sleeping bunks for us all. After being at the train station for a few hours in the heat we weren’t really excited about doing the whole thing the next day again so decided to pray that it would work out and just go with it. When we got on the train, we found that both Peter’s and my seats had been double booked, so now there were 7 of us trying to share 2 seats. Thankfully, our co-passengers were very nice and after some switching around we were all able to at least sit down. The kids made friends with some other passengers and by the time night rolled around, the conductor had found space for the other two passengers and CC was invited to share a bunk with another girl her age. So Peter slept with Jordan in a bunk and Cherise and I bunked together. We did mange to sleep and got to Kolkata safe and sound. Everything here is a new experience for the kids. They are excited and inspired about being here and are just taking everything so well in stride. We all like the fact that there’s no more ‘warm winter clothes’ needed right now and the home here has been very good to us; we have a nice room with balcony and I’ve got another room to set up for school. Some of the food is still a bit spicy for them, but they’ve been very good and try everything. So, a new adventure has begun and with the Lord’s help has gotten off to a good start. We don’t have broadband at this time, but I’ll do what I can to keep this place updated and even post pix from time to time (sorry, I have basically no pix from the trip, I was holding Jordan’s hand most of the time and didn’t want to have to worry about losing the camera at any point). Thanks to everyone who supported this venture and for all your prayers. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, that we’ll adjust well and also get the longer-term visas we need. Thanks!
Month: March 2008
Bye, Bye Europe!
So, finally, we’re off. I’ve spent the last four days packing and getting ready (though I don’t know that I’ll ever be really ‘ready’, heh). We have a short flight to London, from there about 8 1/2 hrs to Delhi where we’ll get picked up for the last leg of our journey: a 20 hr train ride after a night in Delhi. Of course, we’re all really excited, and I’m incredibly nervous. Any prayers for our trip would be appreciated, especially that all our baggage makes it at once with no delays or damage. That our connecting flight is punctual, that I find my way around with the kids and that we all stay healthy as well.
It’s a new beginning! Thanks so much to my mom and Chris who put us up and put up with all the extra noise and people in this little appartment. Thanks, Mama for your advice, counsel, love, and support. I love you!
Thank You Lord, it’s done!
So, our tickets are booked! We’ll be leaving here on the 18th, arriving in the wee hours of the 19th in India. The Lord’s timing was perfect as we thought we had lost the chance to get that ticket cheaply, but when I went to check yesterday, only the day we had originally set as an ‘Etta date’ was cheap again! Now we’re looking at a booking that will take us to India at last! Any prayers for this will be welcome; I still have some packing to do, and I’m so excited I’m having trouble sleeping just when I really need my strength. Thanks!
At this time, just the kids and I will be traveling ahead as we still need some more funds for Jo’s ticket, but living here is becoming very expensive and we’re eager to be on the field as well. Pls pray he can get the funds quickly and find an equally cheap flight to join us in the Lord’s perfect time.
After all this waiting, and ‘planning to go’, it just feels so incredible to be ‘going’. The Lord really knew how long I could handle the waiting and true to His Word never gives more than we can bear. I know new learning experiences, trials and tests are on the way, but all I can say is: Bring it on! I’m excited about all the Lord wants to do next, even though at this time I’m still on a bit of a ‘bend’ and can’t see the full path ahead. Where we go is His plan, we just follow and continue to yield in the every day things and He makes it easy to yield to the big things.
The home we’re going to sounds very nice; I’ve been in touch with them for well over a year and feel like we’ve gotten to know each other a bit which is always good when starting ‘fresh’ like that. I realize (as do the kids) that it’s going to be hot, but since we know, we’re at least mentally prepared, ha! The kids have started getting things together, doing the last bits of school they could do before it’s all packed away and generally trying to be good so mommy can work to get everything done in time. CC desperately wants to update her blog before we go, so I’ll make some time for that.
Have you ever loved a woman?
More eye candy 😀
Don Juan
This scene is one of my favorites from the movie; simply delicious!
Odds and Ends
The first pix from the zoo outing can be found on Jo’s snazzy new blog will work on CC’s contributions and will let you know when they’re on hers.
Joy, this is for you in memory of cooking and cleaning or just lounging together to Bocelli. I love you!
Busy, busy, busy…
that’s why the lack of posting, that, and my laptop is having internet issues, seems to be a hardware problem, so I’m dependant on using Jo’s or my mom’s depending on what’s available at the time.
We got our visas! We would like to book our tickets for next week, but the prices have gone up astronomically, so pls pray for wisdom as we decide how to go about it, as well as supply for the rest of the funds. Thanks!
The kids got to go to the zoo yesterday which was a special treat (thanks Chris!) for them to get out and about and see interesting things and for me to finish some work in preparation for our trip. I will post pix (as will CC in her new found commitment to outdo me in getting more comments than I do…which she already does, heh) as soon as I can.
The weather has warmed up again nicely, sun shining and flowers blooming, but thank the Lord it seems that the cold spell gave my sinuses a break so my hayfever is much more manageable.
Visa application
So, I’m off to the embassy tomorrow (Tuesday)…I got the papers they told me I needed last time. Any prayers will be appreciated. We really don’t need any more delays on this, so we’re praying it’ll be stamped and delivered tomorrow afternoon. Thanks!
When I come to You
Nikki has a way of expressing in song so many things I feel.
Searching through the wreckage for survivors of a thousand shattered dreams
Struggling for the answers that seem to escape me
Longing for the freedom to see things as You see them
Till You touch my eyes, help me realize
That when I come to You with the questions on my heart
Every fear takes flight in the light of Your presence
And when I hear Your Words, all the roads that were so hard
Finally makes sense—when I come to You.
You can touch the shadows of the dark ways and turn them all to light
You can calm the waters of troubled emotions
The emptiness inside me cries out to You to guide me
To see Your Plan, make me understand
That when I come to You with the questions on my heart
Every fear takes flight in the light of Your presence
And when I hear Your Words, all the roads that were so hard
Finally makes sense—when I come to You.
You make me whole again
Help my spirit understand
That You will heal all pain
In a time beyond this time, in a land beyond this land
Silverwaters 