One year ago

A year ago this week my parents came to Nepal. I find myself missing them like crazy.

While they were here we hit all the big tourist spots and more. Every day was full of new experiences and Mom and Dad ended each day exhausted. As I look back over their time here I think about some of my favorite memories.

Eating breakfast outside. This time of year is perfect in Nepal. The morning air is crisp but the sun is bright and the sky is blue. I loved sitting outside, eating breakfast, and just talking. If you know my family then you know we like to talk. This sort of quality “talking” time is my love language and although breakfast outside seems simple it’s a big deal to me.

Bhaktipur. There is a traditional city called Bhaktipur just outside of Katmandu. My good friend Nirmala is from this city and was kind enough to spend the day with my family showing us around. What I love about Nirmala is that as she explains the meaning and significance of the Hindu temples she in turn unabashedly tells you to pray for the people of Nepal. Nirmala’s family is Hindu but as a small girl Nirmala questioned why she had to give offerings to statues while beggars slept on the streets hungry. God continued to work in her life and now she is a bold witness for Christ. I am proud to call “Nirm” my friend and was blessed that she now calls my parents friends.

One of the sweetest moments that I experienced with my parents came on their last evening. We went to my Nepali friend’s restaurant for dinner. While there, a couple of friends popped in carrying a guitar and drum. Thus started an impromptu time of worship with Dad on the drums. The song was simple and my Nepali friends picked it up easily. On a cool November evening, in a tiny Nepali restaurant, Nepali and Americans were singing, “yes Lord, yes Lord YES YES Lord.” My heart is happy just remembering it.

As I mentioned before I find myself missing Mom and Dad and wish that they were here. I am however blessed beyond measure knowing that my parents have walked along side me and have experienced my life. Nepal has captured their hearts and they will forever be changed. 

volunteers

A large portion of my job involves working with short-term volunteers. This year has been full of working with a variety of volunteers from all over the US. I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve been able to spend with them and have been encouraged by them. With every team I learn something new and try to improve on my leadership skills so that I can better help the next volunteers that come. Here are a few things that I have now added to the orientation that I give.

**Some of these things may seem obvious but trust me when I tell you that for some people the obvious eludes them.***

• When trekking through the Himalayas you will be walking at high altitudes AND you will be walking up hills…a lot. 

• Don’t bring your Social Security card to a foreign country. 

• Don’t give Hindus your beef sticks. It’s nice that you want to share but for the millionth time “HINDUS DON’T EAT BEEF!”

• Nepal's restaurants specialize in Nepali food not American food…lower your expectations.

• Blood in your stool is a big deal. Medical professionals should be contacted.

• When I say pack light I’m talking 15 or 20 pounds NOT 60lb…there is a big difference between need and want.

• Don’t pet wild animals. Yes, wild horses will bite you.

• New life rule, if it’s not yours don’t pet it.

To all the volunteers that came to Nepal to serve this year THANK YOU! It was a joy working along side you. You will be remembered…even if it is in telling an embarrassing story to the next set of volunteers.

May the Lord Bless you for your faithfulness!

Reflections from the Gym

I feel like the word Gym should be spelled with a J not a G.

Exercising without and iPod is like torture

While watching professional bowling at the gym I have decided that I could never marry a professional bowler…I would lack respect for him and constantly make fun of him. I believe that if you can drink a big gulp between rounds then it should not be considered a sport

The fact that WWF continues to be on TV baffles my mind

Watching women wrestle on WWF is a little bit dirty

For America being such a “sexually liberated” country American women are probably the most modest in a locker room. Eurpoeans and Asians have no problem walking around in their birthday suits.

According to India’s TV coverage of the Goodwill Games the only sport they have is badminton and shooting.

Had someone invested in me while I was young I believe that I could have been a professional shooter and gone to the Olympics.

Older South Asian men work out in polo shirts and black socks…I think this is strange.

Working out with a trainer reinforces a few truths about myself

1. I am not flexible
2. I don’t have good balance
3. I don’t like pain

magic

I’ve never been one to claim that I was smart much less brilliant. I don’t understand how plains work, computers are often a mystery, and for the life of me dipping dots are a tasty freak of nature. Due to my lack of intelligence and lack of curiosity as to how these things are actually made I like to chalk it up to magic. That’s right folks; I like to pretend that things I don’t understand are magical.

Last night I had another encounter with magic in the form of a pineapple corer. I was given said corer as a gift from my brother-in-law’s brother’s wife. To keep things less confusing let’s call her my sister in law or better yet let’s just call her by her name, Julie!

I don’t know Julie very well other then whenever she is visiting my sister they seem to go shopping. My sister mentioned to me that Julie got me something and that she would send it in a package. The package did arrive and I looked at the simple instrument and then put in a drawer.

Last night my friend Erin purchased a pineapple and I thought it was high time to bring out the corer. I looked at the directions and proceeded with pessimistic caution. Truth be told in my mind this thing was not going to work…but then..it did. As the pineapple corer started taking the pineapple from the inside out I was in utter amazement…it was like magic. It was so easy!

Thank you Julie for the awesome gift. I never knew such a thing even existed. Now I have easy access to my favorite fruit and a little bit of magic in my kitchen.

AMAZING RIGHT?

Erin with the finished product

(pineapple and pomegranates)