STARTING THE JOURNEY BACK HOME

We have our bags packed and they are coming up to the hotel room with a scale to check out our weight limits for the flight. I was glad we could get them to do that as it's metric and I don't know what 40 lbs would be in metric. Kilograms? It really makes you want to expand your educational limitations. It's not good to be somewhere and not know how to do even the most basic of things. We will have our last dental visit today at 4:15 then we'll grab something to eat and Bahart is coming at 9 p.m. to take us to the airport. It really does feel like it's all been a dream and very surreal. Yesterday we got to see a horse draw taxi. There was a man on a bicycle with 8 huge bags of potato's selling them as he went along the road. Ladies with huge baskets affixed to their heads with loads of washing, limes, or other food items. The Saree's being the most common of dress here all look so elegant. It's really been something to see. There are some ladies that wear western clothes but they are far and few between. I think most of them are travellers much like ourselves. The art work that was done on Debra's hands is stictly traditonal for the Indian ladies. It's a sign of a great celebration in your life. We feel we had somethig to celebrate. The style is called "Mendi" It's beautiful. We are going out as soon as they weigh the bags and this computer will go in the carry on and the camera is packed away as well. It's been glouious and it's been such a comfort to know that the Lord has been with us all the way, that gold cross with rubies and diamonds around my neck is a constant reminder that you do come home and life does improve. I can't wait to put it back around the neck of it's rightful owner. It's never been off my neck the whole time we have been here. It's been to all the place seen all the shops and been touched by many different hands of Indian people who share in the knowledge of the Lord Christ Jesus and I think that's been an amazing part of this trip in and of it's self.

WE ARE PACKING TO COME HOME

Got off to a slow start this morning getting some extra and much needed sleep. Didn’t go down for breakfast because sleep was more important to me. We had a doctors appointment at noon and then the dentist appointment at 3:30. We spent most of the day at the hospital wrapping up last minute details. The dental was a little intense for Debra as she had to get some fillings done today and have 3 crowns set. It took a long time as they drilled out some old silver fillings. They put in my bridge but it was a matter of a little cement and some pressure. Every thing fits great and the work looks so natural you wouldn’t know they were dental crowns. I am glad it’s over that ran a little close to the wire plus it cost a little more than I had expected on Debra’s work. At any rate she has a whole new make over.
We ate at the Pizza Hut tonight. It was one square of a personal pan and that was enough. Bharat told me how to say “go to the boarder‘ it‘s easy. You say Mulund check naka. Or Thone check naka and your own your way. Come a few more times and we might pick up a little more of the language.
This will be short tonight as we are packing and fighting over what to take and what not to take back. It will be less than 24 hours now……..we are all fixed up and it’s really time to get back to our lives in Texas.
Thanks for all the prayers. We have been blessed to have this experience. I truly hope that we never have to do anything this drastic again but I am also hopeful that it’s going to give Debra a new lease on life. This will be my last post it’s really been something to remember……….

HENNA TUESDAY AND CELEBRATIONS

HENNA ART WORK DONE ON DEBRA'S HAND IN OUR HOTEL ROOM
THE START OF THE PROCESS OF GETTING A HENNA TRADITIONAL TATOO
THESE ARE THE PALMS OF DEBRA'S HANDS
THIS IS THE INK THAT THEY USE TO DO THE ARTWORK WITH.

Got another rain free day and it was awesome. Woke up with a little bit of a headache but it went away pretty fast all the humidity really makes it hard on your head. Talk to Roland first thing in the morning we get up about 7:30 a.m. so we can take his calls. It’s always a good way to wake up. Same routine we have to get out of the room for house keeping to clean and they clean no matter what you say they clean. After that I came back up and took a nap but the hospital called and we had to go in for a sonogram of Debra’s abdomen at 3 o’clock. I wasn’t expecting to have to do that but she was having some “paining” as they like to call it. It’s only from the internal stitches pulling as they heal. Nothing to worry about. She’ll get her results at noon on the 20th as to what the test have to say and it will tell them if they got all the cysts off of the ovaries. We are hoping that is the case but the test were done to make sure. Redevelopments can accrue within 2 to 3 years but with a good procedure it can be effective even longer. We went to Mocha’s for our celebration meal as we are within our time to go home window. Yes, we did partake of all the good things they had to offer as it was a celebration meal. We have the cheese fondue almost daily as it’s so superb. I did try the recommended “shake” it was wonderful. Thanks to Jordan V. for the tip of the day! Goa is below us we would have to take a train to get there to see the beaches and it wasn’t possible this trip. The Mocha’s we go to is in the Nirmal Mall near the hospital. It’s beautiful inside with red walls, velvet drapes that go from ceiling to floor with touches of gold and purple. It has mis-matched tables and chairs/couches for a trendy look. Debra says we need one of these places in Mont Belvieu. While we were at the hospital Bharat dropped by and was disappointed we have not been calling him to partake of our adventures. He says we are brazen American women! He was happy all had gone well and that we were having a true experience here in India. He knows a henna artist that does the traditional henna tattoos so he asked her to come to our room here at the hotel to do Debra’s hands in henna art. It was fun and we got to enjoy his company while she did the art work on Debra’s hands. Her name was Delphia. She spoke no English but does beautiful work. It was astonishing to watch her do the designs freehanded. It was fantastic. It wont last that long it washes off. It was a true ethnic experience we could never have anywhere else. You have to know a artist to get the work done. It’s not just something you can pop in and get done. Anyway it topped off a great day with nice weather.
I am so looking forward to getting back home and being with my family again. It’s been a tremendous time here and if I had the choice I would do it again. Everyone should have these types of experiences in their lifetimes. I thank God for his protection and the blessings of the saints as they prayed for us while we have been here. I hope with all my heart that only good things will be the result of this trip. Only time will tell.

JURASSIC PARK AND MUSIC TILL WE CAN LEAVE....

ONE OF THE CLINICS HERE IN MUMBIA INDIA
SURVIVAL FOODS
BLACK PEPPER INDIAN STYLE
I THINK THEY MIGHT BE RAVENS

Today was a better experience here in Mumbai. It wasn’t raining!! We had a rough night and sleep didn’t come easy as it gets closer to coming home it’s hard on the nerves and you just don’t rest well. Got up early and Skyped with Roland and then we went down for breakfast. The guys down there at the restaurant are really getting to know us and cut up with us and tease us about only eating corn flakes with warmed milk. Really that’s pretty good you should try it. It grows on you. We were so excited about the warm clear day we went for the mall and even being tired we enjoyed the day a lot. Mocha’s is our favorite place to just hang out. Crossword’s is also another place to just hang out. The clear day did wonders for my attitude.
I went to the dentist for some work today. Debra is waiting for her crowns to come back from the lab. I wasn’t really sure I liked what he had done to my mouth but after a while it started feeling right. He said give it a chance and he was right it does feel better but my mouth had to get used to the changes. Kind of like wearing new shoes. There is a braking in period. I only have 3 days to make sure it’s right. It feels right and when the bridge gets placed it should be even better. If the dentist is right on this he says it will add 20 years to my dental life.
When we came back to the hotel they were having a huge party of some kind. TV crews and satellite dishes where set up out front and cars were every where. We are in our room but the music is so loud it shakes the hotel. Must be some kind of important event. They have 3 levels of banquet halls here. I guess for a hotel in the middle of the city it’s a pretty nice hotel. Not like the Leela would have been but still pretty nice. At least it didn’t cost me $250. 00 a night.
I called tonight to confirm our travel arrangements for the trip home. They will pick us up at 9 p.m. to take us to the airport on the 21st. The flight is at 2:15 a.m. on the 22nd but I would rather be really early than late and have to push. That will give us 4 hours before the flight takes off. We came in really early at 1 a.m. in the morning and the airport was packed. There is not really a slow time at the airport. Things can go wrong with traffic here and I don’t want to take a chance on the trip home. Bharat will make our arrangements and I trust him. Nothing has went wrong in dealing with him. I think he was a little disappointed that we didn’t call upon his services more often but I could do things on my own just as well.
We will eat early dinners at Mocha’s for the rest of our time here. I love the atmosphere. It’s a lot of fun the music is up beat and the food is good. I had some hot chocolate there today that was to die for. Other places I am sure are good but we have this one down and they know us. I will try the Toblerone shake on my next visit. I am sure there are some other interesting things that I will try as well before we leave this place. We wanted to get henna tattoos but we can’t find a place that will do them for us. I think it’s something that only the Indian ladies are allowed to do. They do this as a sign of great respect for a special event in their lives. We asked where to get them done and no one will tell us a place to go. Like it’s secret and for their culture only. We can respect that.
As we listen to the loud music tonight and enjoy the vibration of our walls I will remind myself it wont be long and we will be back home. I will also be reading some in Colossians 1:13 for he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins….15 He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

JUST ANOTHER RAINY DAY BEFORE COMING HOME

Temple area in Mumbai
Muland and Thane boarder. This is where you have to change rickshaws to go from one side to the other.
Debra walking to the boarder on a clear day....one of the few days it didn't rain all day.

Woke up to the ringing of Skype. That little ring has become my favorite sound here. I had to find out how to get the head phones on and the computer screen up while I was still half asleep. Roland kept trying and I finally got my computer to come up so I could answer the call. Some time I wake up and I am a little disorientated as to where I am! I guess that has to do with waking up in a hotel in India for so long. Chatted with Roland for a while it’s nice we can talk as long as we want. Debra was ready for breakfast so we went down this morning. They had some delicious jam this morning most of the time it’s been like a lime flavor but this morning it was some type of berry. Came back to the room and slept as it’s pouring rain today heavily. We are going to watch movies today and just try to kill this day. Monday we have more dental work. Debra will get her crowns and I will get my bridge placed. They should be ready. We’ll go in for a finale check of the fittings on the 20th. Then we just have to wait for the time to come that we can get on the flight home. Debra’s incisions will be healed by the time we get back. You can hardly see some of them now. Tiny little punctures are already healing over. The largest one about 2 inches is also pretty healed over. It will make the flight home much easier on her. It is amazing your body can heal that quickly.
Well nothing exciting today just watching the TV. Bruce Willis is playing in “The Guardian” We wont go out today because of the rain. I am hating being wet all the time. We are running out of clothes so we can’t afford to get them wet at this point. In this humidity they don’t dry. On the flight they sprayed air freshener up and down the isles before we took off now I know why. You just have to keep a sense of humor about that kind of stuff. We’ll be on our mashed potato diet tonight. We did find a Dollar Store that had Roman Noodles and Campbell’s soups. (Thank You Jesus)

MOCHA'S SAVED THE DAY

Breakfast at Mocha's........Cheese fondue.......yummmmmmmm
Apple crepes at Mocha's with carmel sauce and Kona Coffee from Hawaii.......ha ha
Side of the road prayer room.
Traffic in Mumbai on a slow day.......

Most people believe that it takes months and years to transform their lives. Actually, you can literally change your life in an instant by making a single decision never to go back to the way you have been living--no matter what. What takes months, years, and sometimes decades is the maintenance required to live by that decision. I woke this morning in a bit of frustration that I am still in India. Last nights celebrations lead to horn honking all night long. Not the normal horn honking but blaring honking. I woke up with a headache and grumpy. I didn’t go down to breakfast but enjoyed talking to Roland on Skype it was good to vent to my husband about my troubles. Debra did go down to the restaurant for it gave us a break from each other. When she came back up we needed to clear out of the room so house keeping could do our room. After some aspirin and getting a good shower I was back to my old self. We grabbed a rickshaw which we are very accustom to using now and headed to the Nirmal Mall by the Hospital. We started to just stay for a while but then it turned into an all day event. We went back to ‘Mocha’s’ for breakfast and had a cheese fondue. It was fabulous and put me in a better mood. After we had done that we went up to a book store called “Crossword” I found a nice place to sit and read some of the writings of Robin Sharma. He wrote a book called “The monk who sold his Ferrari” He is an internationally acclaimed leadership guru. The Dr. Phil of India. It was a good place to kill some time and Debra ran around doing things she wanted and I read. I can’t believe how spoiled I am to my personal space. I enjoy at home long hours of private time reading and doing whatever I want. Going to the gym ect. But here you are locked into always having people around you always having noise. It’s not good for your karma. India as a whole is full of noise there is no quite places here. Even at the hospital there was constant noise from construction, working, people and traffic it’s mind boggling. First thing I want to do when I get home is to sit out on the back porch and hear nothing but birds. I had told Rikki Lane that the porch was my sanctuary I didn’t know how true that statement was. It’s screened in there is no bugs it’s the most perfect place and I miss it dearly. Roland and I have dinner out there almost every night I miss that as well. It’s so true you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
We went to “Reflexology” and had foot massages which were very nice. Debra had a man do hers and I had a lady but I had to keep telling her “rub easy” she had very strong hands. When we got the pressure right it was a very relaxed event. They brought us out cups of green tea and we sat in these lovely plush chairs. It was at least a calmer atmosphere than we had been having still there was noise. Now I know why they need Zen moments. (meditation). What was odd to me was it was mostly men not woman getting their feet done. Debra and I were the only females in the place except for the workers. Seems here it’s the men who like to be pampered.
We went back to the book store and I bought Robin Sharma’s book on Daily Inspiration. It will be some reading on the trip home as I have read all my other books that I brought with me. We all need daily inspiration. Don’t worry I wont be replacing the bible I read daily with that of the guru. What is that old saying ……when in Rome do as the Roman’s do. Not a chance on that happening!!! I only have one King that I am true to and that is Christ Jesus. Debra felt that Bharat might have intentions of converting me while I was at the Tibetan Prayer service. I just had to laugh. I have all ready been converted to Christianity and you don’t change that. It’s alright to look at how the other half lives but it’s great to be able to see the truth in what you believe. 1 in 5 people who practice religion are Hindu. That blows my mind. So does it mean if you get a henna tattoo that your hinny? I don’t think so. It means you have experienced something different. If your convictions are strong nothing is going to waver you from what you trust and believe. Those who have a strong belief in Christ Jesus are not feathers in the wind.
We had some coffee at the bookstore and finished off the fondue that we had for breakfast. We had taken it in a take away box. We had a little trouble getting a rickshaw back because of heavy traffic but I managed to flag one down. We transferred at the border between Muland and Thane and I have found look for the younger guys they speak some English. Enough to understand you. There are thousands of rickshaws so you never have the same driver. Back at the hotel safe and sound we took showers and hooked up the computers for writing e-mails and posting blogs. It wont be long now and we will be making that trip home. I am ready and so is Debra.
I am going to end my day listening to George Strait and some good country music. You never forget where you come from………..Think I will start with Amarillo by Morning………I love George……I love Roland, too.

अ पोस्ट इन हिन्दी

थिस इस बीइंग त्य्पेद इन हिन्दी। वे अरे स्तायिंग अत थे होटल टिप टॉप प्लाजा इन ठाणे। यू कैन विसित ठिर वेब साईट अत व्व्व.होतेल्तिप्तोप्प्लाज़ा.कॉम जुस्त वांटेड यू तो सी हाउ थे राइट इन थिस साइड ऑफ़ थे वर्ल्ड। नेक्स्ट इस थे एबीसी'स अ बी क डी ऐ फ ग इ ह इ जे क ल म न ओ प क्यू र स टी उ व् व क्ष य ज इ बेत ओनली डेनिस कैन फिगुरे थिस आउट। शे इस ओउर रेअचेर दिवा!

This is a post written in the Hindi. Bet you can't tell what it says. What I find interesting is that they do understand it just like we understand our languages and writings. I have done a good bit of looking into this and it's very interesting how people communicate. Speaking in tongues would have been very necessary for the purpose of being able to understand. Also, I understand why foot washing was such a respectful act to preform for another person. It's all starting to be a little clear to me now.