Reading Music...

Just the other day, I was sharing with Chris how learning to read Hindi has been like reading music.  My intelligent husband taught himself within the first weeks here.  I have been a little slower...working on conversational Hindi instead.  So, with my tutor traveling and getting her wisdom teeth out last week...I started working on it.  I can do it!  I'm slow and have to use the alphabet chart from time to time, but I can do it.  Praise God.  I feel like a kid starting to read "Mc Donald's" signs...the world has opened up even more.

We have been keeping a pretty rigorous schedule.  We both spend about 3 hours with language helpers a day and then try and get out in the community to run errands and take Sam to the park.  Then...of course find time for study.  We are learning more and more each day.  I am always amazed at my increased ability to talk with our house helpers.  They are both sweet ladies...and so patient.  We do a lot of laughing.

This week I was reminded of the cost of living here.  My mom will be having surgery next week, and I wish we could be there for her.  It's not easy to be away from family and friends.  God has provided sweet relationships for us, but we're still foreigners living in a strange land.  Pray for us.  Pray for my mom.

We have been loving our weekends.  It's a great chance to be more social and to spend time resting.  We've decided that I will get out of the house and run errands on the weekend.  Chris is out and about all week while I stay back with the kids.  It's a great balance.  Just yesterday, I made it to the Big Bazaar.  It's pretty much a Super Walmart, Indian style.  It was a blast shopping with 2 Indian friends here.  I'm realizing I don't have to preface everything with "India" anymore...you know we are here.

Next week will be more language study...and Chris will try and get his driver's license.  We hope to get a car next week too.  But, it's India...everything takes longer.  Thanks for reading and praying for us!

The Kids

Our Surroundings

View from Our Rooftop

Subjiwalla (vegetable man) at Our Gate

Our "Grocery Store"-they call department store because there's food and toiletries.

Our Road looking towards the "park"

Our 1st Home (we are on the 2nd floor and there's a 3rd floor you can't see from road)

We have been silent...

This is not because we have nothing to say.  So much has happened in a few weeks...I have taken many pictures and there are many stories to tell.  I have been trying to "unplug" a little...trying to completely submerge myself into life here.  Our days are filled with language lessons, meals, chores, and parenting.  After the kids are asleep, we both have been studying.  Pray that we can sustain this pace of life...I will write more this weekend and post some pictures too.

2 Weeks...Christmas and New Years!

Happy New Year!  We did not have an exciting night.  We both definitely were in bed by the time the clock struck 12.  I was awoken by fireworks...there are fireworks for everything here.  It has become colder here, but still pretty bearable.  I am comfortable in a sweater and jeans.  If I go out, then I must wear something a little more traditional.  I'm trying to save my Indian kurtas from baby vomit, Sam's curry stains, and dust :)  They are not as durable as my American clothes.

We had a delightful Christmas meal with our upstairs and downstairs neighbors.  I made baked pasta, garlic bread, and cake.  We also went caroling to them and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.  It made us feel less homesick, but we still would have like to have spent time with both our families.  We are trying to keep up with them Skyping from time to time, but it is definitely not the same.

Chris and I have both had moments this past week where we think this life we're living just feels "normal."  Then we step back and say..."Wait a minute, we live in India!"  If we were on a short term trip, things would probably shock and amaze us.  Instead, it just feels normal.  I have quickly learned to say, "Serf Hindustan may."  "Only in India..."

We both wish our language was so much farther.  We are picking up more vocabulary each day, memorizing phrases, practicing the alphabet, learning the script.  So much to do!  We definitely feel like 2 year olds...and maybe even younger when Sam spouts off Hindi.  He has called the neighbor boy his friend the past 3 weeks, but yesterday he shouted Mritinjay...What!  How did he pronounce that so effortlessly :)

Our house help has been a blessing.  2 sweet young moms who come in and out throughout the week.  I long to have conversations with them, but instead I'm left practicing spices and vegetables.  We will get there.  Please pray for our patience and endurance.