WE: Unformed

“things as they are”

It is 1026 pm here in our little abode in the north of India. There is a cool breeze blowing thru as I munch on some glorious dark chocolate and Adam is sitting next to me punching a plastic bag. Yes, that is his new favorite toy. Do not be fooled into baby einstein purchases…just send us plastic bags;)

We had a 3D ultrasound last week of the new baby. That was pretty incredible. Baby is quite adorable and is measured right at 33 weeks. So we are getting close;)
baby inside at 33 weeks. adam doing his thing;)

I have decided to add a new part to our blog. It shall be called “Things as They Are”. It is inspired by the one and only Amy Carmichael, the beautiful irish woman of the 19th century who spent 55 years serving in the south of India (actually quite close to Raja’s home). She wrote a book titled “Things as they are” in order to capture the daily events, and often times, monotony, of life in “exotic India” or “the field”. Often times, we of other nations, tend to glamorize life abroad and imagine that abroad is where true adventure lies or that it is where the true “saints” dwell. Oh how silly we are. How silly I have been and can be.
I still remember meeting with a dear mentor, Larry, a few years ago. It was a few years before I moved here, long term and I was sharing with him my longing to be back in this nation and a sense of restlessness. He reminded me that “Jessica, often times you think that life over THERE is full of adventure and beauty and wonder…but it is just life, as it is here, but THERE. Soon, the glamour fades and you realize daily tasks remain, bills are paid, and people are frustrating…” (or something along those lines). And it did not take me long (AT ALL) to see the truth of that once living here long term;)
Though, often times, Abba Father uses those emotions of “restlessness” for much good and often times it’s root may even be Him…we tend to spice it up, dramatize it, and imagine that unless we are on the grounds, His work cannot be done. I went thru a season similar to that. Due to which, He had to sing over me and I had to write on my walls “be still and KNOW that I AM (HE). I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth”. With or without me, He is bringing forth life and redemption all around. For a season, He needed me to BE STILL AND KNOW.
All that to say, I want to be careful not to glamorize or fantasize or let your imagination run wild with our lives here.
For if I only write about monkeys appearing in my sons bed in the morning, or the incredible heat, or doing dressing changes on a precious girls burns, or seeing her walking redeemed day by day and being provided for, or if I only testify to the difficulties…then that would be falsifying the reality of daily life.
For there are days like today, that I watch Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday on our laptop, eat dark chocolate, take my son on a bike ride…and that is it. The day is over. Nothing more.
Or there are times when I attempt to make Biryani (famous indian dish…that also happens to be my husband’s favorite) and it fails miserably. And it is when we have guests coming…guests who KNOW FOOD and who love it. And as my husband comes in the kitchen to try and help me, I run out dramatically, get stuck in the door that is too big for its frame and won’t open quickly as it drags on the floor stiffly, and flap myself in the hammock and cry. And I cannot be consoled. Because the biryani is basically a watery soup and its a disaster and “what will they think” is all that I can think about.
Or there are times when I become excited and start to speak hindi too fast and instead of exclaiming “oh its so hot! my face is covered in sweat (“pasina”)”, I say….”oh its so hot! my face is covered in urine (“pishab”)”. Yes, it is true. 
Or days when I dye all my husbands underwear and undershirts pink with the new red dishrags…and he still loves me and still wears them;)
So you see, this is “things as they are”.

Yes, He (the One on High) is faithfully weaving beautiful stories of redemption around me…but it is not ME. It is HIM. And I am somehow allowed to be a part of it in this little corner of the world. But meanwhile, life goes on, silliness happens, and I think I should make an effort to write about that more often. At least for my own sake. So here’s to a new section, “things as they are”;)

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Yes, it is hot here. And yes, I often times feel like my life is a never ending campout. Which is nice at times, but sometimes a little uncomfortable when pregnant. But its pretty beautiful nonetheless;) So, when life is like a camp out, you might as well faithfully consume smores over an open flame;)

Things as they are take 1:
Do not be fooled. We do not live on rice and beans. We have quite a variety of foods at our disposal. We did have to hike a 1 hour hike 2 months ago to get the Haribo marshmellows at some store on a mountain that gets a stock of european tastiness weekly. But other than that, we have dark chocolate, nutella, and these glorious biscuits (cookies/graham crackers) in a market nearby. If you have not experienced smores with Nutella, dear one, you must expand your horizons;) And dark chocolate trumps milk chocolate every day. I learned that especially in my season with manda grace;)
the ingredients

toasting always improves a smore

i like mine burnt.

mmmmhhhmmmmm.

and yes, we have icecream galore. in our old house, it was too far of a distance to get it and keep it cold long enough to make it home. but here, we have no problem with that.

surprise raja! no chai today..smore explosion for your “evening welcome home snack”;)

“things as they are”

Comments

  1. I have always wondered what your life and day-to-day tasks were! Thanks for opening up and sharing! Adam looks like he is growing and so is your belly 🙂

  3. Love our Lar. Such truth in the simple wisdom of the saints. I do not comment much, but I always read your blog. Love you, Jess

  4. I love your candidness and your humility and your obedience to His will, Jess 🙂 May our Father in Heaven continue to bless you! And Raj and Adam and baby 😉

  5. This post made me smile so big 🙂 What a GOOD God we serve! So excited for the new little sweetie to be born into your home soon! Much love from the west, Courtney

  6. Sometimes when i read your blog i feel as if im there, in india. i cant tell you what your writing means to me. i use you and your family as an example when witnessing, and i cry with you and laugh with you, and i feel encouraged. thank you for sharing your camp out!..and adams journey.