church visit. Sunday, July 3, 2011 This morning we went with our friend to visit a church.  This tiny congregation is made up of believers and non-believers who have been reached by the church’s ministry, and their pastor is a man of God who faithfully shepherds his people. all ready for church. just a typical drive home — the street is blocked by a performing tight-rope walker. I am thankful for good health so we could all attend church together as a family. I am thankful for Martha, sitting close beside me, at long last breathing the same air and smelling the same South Asia smells that I do. I…

  martha’s here. Thursday, June 30, 2011   Our friend Martha is spending three weeks here with us before starting college in August.  We have known her and her family for several years, and she was a favorite babysitter back when we lived in Lexington, SC.  We are so thrilled that she wanted to use part of her summer to come half-way across the world and serve our family. We’re spending these first several days showing her the city and letting her recover from jet-leg, then beginning on Monday she will keep Judah and Amie from 8-5 during the week, so that David and I can spend time doing two…

  kodai friends. Tuesday, June 28, 2011     l to r: a-sick-and-miserable Amie, Ezme, Jude, Judah, Aletheia. The friends we hung out with during our Kodai vacation in April came to our city this week.  We spent yesterday with them and then met up again this afternoon.  With four adults and six rambunctious kids we did a horrible job of taking pictures, but here are a couple cute ones (baby Sofia was taking a nap).  Graham and Karen are from England and have lived here for eight years.  He teaches at an international school at the former British hill station where they live, and their four kids are adopted…

  playground. Monday, June 27, 2011      

  jet-lagged. Friday, June 24, 2011      

  chronicles of an international trip. Friday, June 24, 2011   Hour one: last Starbucks iced coffee   Hour two: the goods bye-bye, Grandpa bye- bye, Philadelphia Diesel 10 helps with check-in this playground in the Philly airport was, literally, a God-send Hour twelve: breakfast after the red-eye to London Hour twenty-one: staying occupied Hour twenty-six: we made it!  More or less. home sweet South Asia home.  

  day two. Thursday, June 23, 2011   He put his hand under her chin and lifted her face to his and kissed her.  ‘Happy birthday, glimmering girl.  Sorry it’s been such a hassle.’ ‘It isn’t such a hassle, really.  It’s just life—quirky and scary and lovely and immense.  The beauty to be seen from our window can’t be diminished by the dark soul that crawled out of it last night.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.’ – Jan Karon In the Company of Others The day we left for South Asia, I lay in bed at 124 Market Street and felt so panicked I couldn’t move.  I can’t…

  good-bye lititz. Thursday, June 23, 2011        

  gratitude. Monday, June 20, 2011   “Everywhere I have sought rest and not found it, except sitting in a corner by myself with a book.” – Thomas a Kempis   620. For many such corners in my in-laws’ home. Thank you, Mom and Dad G, for helping us to find rest this week before our big trip.  We miss you already.  

  breakfast on the balcony. Saturday, June 18, 2011