dal and chappati. Tuesday, July 26, 2011      

  tea party on the balcony. Tuesday, July 26, 2011   Amie and I have been enjoying our three-hour mornings while Judah is at preschool.  We go outside.  We read books.  Watch some Bob the Builder.  And we always make sure to save time for a tea party on the balcony with our friends.    

  sunday. Sunday, July 24, 2011   While you folks in the U.S. are experiencing record heat waves, we are neck-deep in monsoon season, with temps in the high 70’s/low 80’s, breezes, and rain several times a week.  We have a love/hate relationship with our swimming pool, which is been clean and swim-able maybe forty percent of the time we’ve lived here, but this weekend it’s looking gorgeous, so the kids have been begging for a swim.   trying out the water it is freezing cold! . . . but that didn’t stop these kiddos! some curious onlookers (notice the jeans and sweater).  You will find people wearing jackets and…

afternoon routine. Friday, July 22, 2011 A writing desk, a cup of chai, and a quiet hour-and-a-half to study . . . what more could a girl ask for?

  day by day. Wednesday, July 20, 2011   God is leading me step by step and day by day. I am once again in the place of feeling like all is outside my control, that I have no idea what tomorrow holds or what next year holds, that this has to be a walk of faith or nothing. It is still a hard place to be in, just like it was six months ago.  I had hoped – had planned – to have more certainty at this point in our story.  But it doesn’t seem like certainty is God’s will for me right now.  Or maybe it is.  But…

  the neighborhood. Tuesday, July 19, 2011   I love how Martha’s visit and picture-taking allow us to view our neighborhood with new eyes.  Here are some of our everyday sights (above: nighttime view of our city from Richey and Keli’s balcony):   the street in front of our apartment complex.  our apartments are to the left. we see (and smell) lots of this: sewage and garbage. Martha’s fruit stand, on the way to pick up Judah from school. Judah’s school is a ten-minute walk from our apartment (the school year is in full-swing, and, though he complains about having to go, he secretly loves it). the busy street corner…

  for martha. Monday, July 18, 2011   This afternoon Martha and I got in a taxi and sat together for the hour-long ride to the airport.  I felt the silence stretching the whole length of the seat between us, filled-to-bursting with all the things I couldn’t say.  Sometimes I clam up when I am most sad, and I hate that about myself. I dropped her off at the airport, with her suitcases and a letter that I hope helps to form that silence into all the gratitude I feel in my heart.   We said our rushed good-byes at the door, in front of a crowd and an airport attendant…

  saturday. Saturday, July 16, 2011      

  in her own words. Wednesday, July 13, 2011   In the sixteen days since I landed jet-lagged and excited in the Gentino family’s new South Asian home, I feel like I have changed in drastic ways. My view of missions, of the people of this incredible country, and even of myself have been affected by this experience, and one of my favorite things about being here is the people I come into contact with. Seemingly everyone from Judah’s teachers at school to the man at my favorite fruit stand is smiling, welcoming, and eager to help me find my way. This same mindset can be found right next door…

  oliver ryan mcwilliams. Wednesday, July 13, 2011     Meet the newest member of our family, born yesterday, 8 lbs, 20.5 inches.  My heart can’t make up its mind between rejoicing over this little guy, and grieving that we can’t be there to hold him.  We love you so much, sweet Oliver!