One week and counting!

We are one week away from the Big move! Our internet and power has been the best these past couple days, right after Christmas. Christmas day we were out of power from about 9am to 730pm! That is the longest since I have been here, and changed some of our plans for the day. Even so it was a delightful celebration with our miniature tree, gifts, the Christmas story in video form with a sing-a-long and singing some Christmas songs.

A brief update on things I mentioned previously:
Saroj is with his family in Nepal, where they are originally from, and they will be returning next week! This is a blessing because it means he will continue at the same school, and we will be able to work with him and his brother. I have been working with him on some healthy eating and exercise habits, as well as studies; I am glad that I will be able to continue to work with him and his brother when they return.

My roommate, and Debbie's assistant, has decided that she is not going to stay with us and is looking for other housing and a new job. It is a difficult thing to commit to a job like this 24/7 and she has almost done it for a year. I know she is uncertain about where He is leading her and stressed right now, but she has confessed that she was not committed to continuing here 100%. Please pray for direction for her, and for another person from the US or someone local to step in and help whether for a short-term or long-term commitment. I am so glad I am here at this time to help out in the little ways I can; however, there is a need for someone who speaks English and Hindi to translate where our limited Hindi falls short.

Another exciting piece of news. For Christmas the boys received a keyboard, and I am starting to teach them lessons! This is a blessing for me to have the opportunity to use some of other gifts and to have the opportunity to play while I am here. We were able to do some Christmas carols the day after-since we did not have power the day of, and yesterday I started lessons with them. The oldest boy is eager to learn and practice, but the younger one, Tarun, who is still with us over the holidays is having a more difficult time focusing. Pray for wisdom for me to know how to motivate and encourage him, and that it could be something he could learn to enjoy and commit to practicing. There are some behavior and learning disabilities that make it difficult for the younger two (Tarun and Anmol), but we are hoping that the music will be a helpful tool as they all love music.

Praise that we have power to keep us warm-especially at night. We were so thankful that it came back just in time for us to get heaters running to warm us up for the night. We are all quite healthy for the most part; although we had beef Christmas day that tasted so good, but did not settle well with Debbie or myself. We have recovered quickly though and are focused this week on packing up and getting things ready for the move.

My time here seems to be getting smaller and smaller, and every day new things come up. You may have heard the phrase "on India time." I am learning the need to be flexible and also focused when I do have the time to get things done, because you never know what is going to distract you or interfere with your day. Pray that I would be able to accomplish what He desires for me with each day, and be flexible to step in and help in other ways when I need to and am able.

There is so much to be said about all that I am learning and understanding more each day, but I hope to share these with you in person when I return home, or in a formal letter. My roommate, Debbie and I have been doing Beth Moore's Bible study "I'm Believing God;" the timing of this study and its relevance have been such a blessing. This weeks' key verse: "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8). I so often feel like I don't know where He is taking me or even what I am doing here, but He daily reminds me of the end goal, and the purpose of every day until then. Goodbye for now, blessings for the new year and I hope you can continue to remember the gift of His coming to dwell among us and what a blessing it is to know that He can relate to our every temptation, desire, and suffering. Peace be with you!