Stuff and nonsense

I’m supposed to write a blog post on a weekly basis now. I’m more or less (okay, less) aware of that task as the end of the week approaches and the post hasn’t been written. So, here I sit with an unprecedented event in the history of our time in India to date this trip: both babies are napping. At the same time. Never mind that it was preceded by many tears and heartfelt cries (poor Ava got knocked in the face by Aidan’s head during a diaper change). Tears are dried and bums are clean and little bodies are still and quiet—for a moment—long enough for me to grab the computer and write. We don’t have power right now, so this will go out into the vast world outside of Melagaram sometime tonight when Sonu comes home and connects to the internet again. As I type, he is navigating the district capital an hour and a half away, registering all his foreign relatives, aka wife and kids, so we can legally live in India on our visas. Pretty important stuff. He’s also getting sliced cheese and some groceries from a bigger supermarket. VERY important stuff. J

Our re-entry into India was relatively painless on the travel side. Both kids did very well. Aidan fussed only a bit and slept a lot; Ava slept only a bit and watched a lot. I think she grew mentally by several months on the trip from the overstimulation alone. Lights, noises, people, smells, she took it all in. . . which means she crashed from overload when we got here.

When we arrived, the anniversary celebration was just getting underway. Sonu’s family is celebrating 25 years of service here in Tamil Nadu this November. We arrived just in time to join in. . .or at least that was the plan. We were all so jet-lagged that most of our time was spent snoozing in spare beds here and there. I think we all made it to one service, and even at that one Aidan was wailing part of the time from heat and exhaustion. The final and main day of celebrations we missed entirely because I (Betsy) got very sick and the only one available to stay with me was my sweet husband, despite being needed in his role as dean at the Bible college graduation that morning. Sonu also felt the beginnings of tonisillitus, Aidan was stretched beyond what he could take anymore sleep-wise, the baby was dehydrating, and all around we were in a pretty bad state. Ahh, the strange providences of God. We travelled all the way back to be here to participate In the very events we were unable to attend. Thank God, everyone has recovered now and we are so very grateful to God for carrying us through many long nights of sleeplessness and days of sickness.

We all seem to be adjusting to being here, though each at our own pace. Sonu has seemingly seamlessly fallen back in just where he left off (no surprise J). Ava doesn’t really know anything has changed. I am coming around, though still disoriented by continued sleep loss (nursing issues) and getting used to being truly, for the first time, on my own with the kids during the day in a home that is not ours. Aidan seems to be experiencing the most trauma related to the move back. He wakes every morning, and in the middle of the night when we were jet-lagging, asking for dear ones from the States. “Gammy? Maggie? Dew? Emma? Tweety? Deby?” The inquiries are quieted for a time by telling him that they are in their home, to which he repeats “Home,” staring off with a confused and thoughtful look. He has no idea where “home” for them is except that it isn’t right here, right now. He is clingier than usual, and wants either Mama or Pappa to accompany him on any outing, or anytime he is taken from our side, basically. He loves sitting in the car on his on like a big person, no car seat holding him down and cramping his style (yikes). For now he is very still and obedient; I think he thinks he is getting away with a lot being allowed to sit without constraint, so the idea of moving around within the vehicle hasn’t entered his mind yet. I’m sure it’s just down the road ;) Pray for his little heart to adjust and for us to be patient and understanding with him. We’re seeing a lot of discipline issues pop up—many due to his age, to be sure (nearly 2), but some likely prompted at least in part by the sudden and drastic changes he has experienced in the past month.

There’s more to say, much more of course, but your time is short and precious as well, dear reader. Thanks to all of you who have upheld us in prayer as we have transitioned physically, and continue to transition emotionally, mentally, spiritually, to being back in our Indian home. Please continue to pray for us in the following areas:

1.       - We are still looking for a house to rent. Proximity to the school/church, price, and cleanliness are key factors for us.

2.     -   Health. Sickness goes around weekly here, and with our little ones and several surrounding little ones (the kids have 3 small cousins within the same building), sickness tends to get passed back and forth often. Pray for strong immune systems!

3.      -  Translation work. Sonu is working on a translation project that needs to be completed in about a month. Pray for clarity, diligence, and efficiency as he works on this special task.

4.    -    Parenting. We’re in uncharted territory, as we have been from the start, trying to raise these gifts God has given us. Please lift up Betsy as she balances nurturing the kids with keeping the living area livable as well as people fed and clothed.

Until next time, God bless you and thanks for keeping up with us!