Patricia: I just want to do a photo shoot out here to send back to our families.
Me: Oh that's a good idea. To show that we're thriving, not just surviving. I mean, nothing says thriving like a photo shoot.
So here we are in Dehradun. When we first got there, we thought we had arrived at the Taj. Then after about 2 hours, we realized that we had not been told "simple housing" for no reason. Our water pump was on the fritz, but now it doesn't work at all...so we have no running water. Our house, though it is spacious, is super moldy and dusty. We have a roach infestation. The electricity is out about as often as it is on. So basically we are powerless...in every sense of the word. It's actually a huge blessing because it is teaching us a lot about what we NEED and what we just like to have. It generally just takes longer to get things here fixed than it does in the States, but we will get our water pump fixed eventually.
Things I am thankful for:
My partners. Lena and Patricia have been such a blessing as we maneuver a new chapter in life in this new place together. They are great accountability, and we can laugh together through all the chaos.
Hot showers. It’s such a blessing to be able to have a hot shower.
Cold showers. They make me thankful for hot showers and remind me that a large majority of the world does not have the luxury of running water, much less hot water.
Electricity. Consistent electricity is something that I have always taken for granted in the States. Here it comes and goes. It is a great reminder that every good thing is a gift from above (James 1:17).
Internet...and a lack of. We don't have it in our house, so rather than skyping, facebooking, and emailing all the time, I am spending so much more time in the Word and building relationships. :) But, it is nice to have it once in a while to catch up.
Our rooftop. It has a view of the Himalayas and does not smell like mold or mildew. It's a very peaceful place. :)
Those who lift us up. Knowing that people are going before the Father on our behalf makes each day more bearable.
Patricia and Lena eating breakfast on the early morning train to Dehradun.
Vegetarian breakfast on the train.
Lena reading while our power was out the first night here.
Making shadow puppets on the wall to entertain ourselves.
Eating nutella and hobnobs (our new favorite cookies) by cell phone flashlight.
Patricia is a beastly cockroach killer.
Our "take away" coffees outside of a store. Everyone else was taking our picture, so I figured I'd get one, too.
I finally gave in and started a blog. The fact that I am about to move to South Asia for 2 years seemed like a good reason to start one. I hope to use this to share what I am learning and what the Lord is doing in South Asia.
Right now He is teaching me a whole lot about grace....unmerited favor.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am..." 1 Corinthians 15:10
Unmerited. I absolutely without a shadow of a doubt do not deserve what Christ has given me. This is the part that is easy for me to understand and grasp. Satan is really good at reminding me of that every minute of every day. I do not deserve Christ, His love, or His righteousness.
Favor.Somethingdoneorgrantedoutofgoodwill,ratherthanfromjusticeorforremuneration;akindact. He chooses to offer it. There is absolutely NOTHING about grace that depends on me. My obedience, or disobedience, does not change the grace freely offered to me through Jesus Christ. How wonderful is that?! "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." -John 1:16
"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." -Romans 6:14
Do I actually live and think this way? Does my every word and action flow out of a life that recognizes that it is only by grace that I am who I am? No. My resolve: to quit trying...and actually take Him at His word. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. -2 Corinthians 12:9