holidays

  • holidays,  s. asia

    where religion is politics.

    Our family spent Good Friday morning at the botanical gardens.  On our arrival we met a festival with food, music, and performances.  Religions compete for calender space, and it is not uncommon to see Hindu festivals on Christian holy days. Top state officials flanked the mayor to do puja (worship) together at a Hindu temple atop a rocky hill to celebrate the founding of our city.  It was fascinating to watch several rituals – giving offerings, taking sweets, releasing balloons, lighting a torch.  I was trying to imagine Congress taking communion together in the U.S. You’ll notice from the grainy i-phone pics below I pushed my way front and center…

  • food,  holidays,  s. asia

    easter and ice cream cones.

    We’ve been talking about ways to teach our kids about Easter.  This year we settled on doing something special–something out-of-the-ordinary to catch our attention–each evening this week, then sitting around the table together and learning Bible stories about Jesus’ last week of life, his death, and the resurrection. Monday night David and the kids made homemade ice-cream cones for our “Easter talk.” Yum. Next up: I’m going to try my hand at gluten-free cupcakes!

  • holidays,  s. asia

    five things i like about christmas overseas.

    Last Christmas was a bit of a blur.  We were hardly a month here in South Asia.  I remember lots of tears.  And that I wasn’t even cooking in my new kitchen yet. Fast forward a year, and we’re still homesick.  I know you know that, and you’ve prayed for us especially in this season, and we’re so thankful.  Maybe it’s because of your prayers that we’ve found ourselves really relishing certain aspects of Christmas here.  Here are some of them: 1.  The slower pace.  Obviously this has a lot to do with the fact that we simply don’t know nearly as many people here in South Asia.  And that…

  • holidays,  s. asia

    our family christmas.

    The kids were up and ready for presents at 7 a.m. “I see my name!” A lot of firsts for Ams this Christmas: first Barbie, first My Little Pony … And first doll house! My treats from David’s camping trip in the mountains We were both cooking breakfast when we sensed a hush had fallen over the house.  This is what we found in the living room.  Two little people scarfing down our fancy organic chocolate bars. I ordered the doll house from Amazon, and Steve and Linda brought it with them when they came.  Amie loves it so much she threw a temper tantrum when she couldn’t take it…

  • holidays,  s. asia

    the sari, part two.

    So here are a couple of pictures of the sari.  My across-the-hall neighbor, Sarah, and her college-aged daughter, Amara, came over to help me with it last night.  I didn’t find out until after I asked for their help that they almost never wear saris and had trouble figuring out mine.  So we asked our next-door neighbor Mary to come rescue us.  She is probably close to seventy, and whipped me into shape so fast that we all stood in awe. It’s hard to explain exactly what’s so complicated about wrapping a sari.  It involves lots of tucking, pleating, and pinning.  Then there’s trying to keep it in place, which,…

  • holidays,  s. asia

    the sari.

    I apologize that things have been a little sparse on the blog this week.  I have been sick with bronchitis, and, let’s just face it, everyday life just isn’t nearly as exciting as living it up with the G’s.  We miss you, Grandpa and Mum-Mum! Remember when I said I’m not wearing a sari anytime soon? Well, now I have to eat my words.  We are spending Christmas with two of the churches we are here working with.  They are in more rural, traditional areas, and the plain truth is that all of the women there will be wearing sari’s for Christmas, and it would be a way to honor them…

  • holidays,  s. asia

    gentino family christmas.

    We celebrated Christmas together on Friday, and it was lovely.  Gifts first thing, then fresh hot banana bread and coffee, a Skype date with Cathy, Annie and Pat, and everyone pitching in to make a Christmas dinner feast.  After naptime we went to a favorite cafe for lattes, then had a picnic dinner of leftovers on the terrace, and pie and whipped cream for dessert!

  • holidays,  s. asia

    it’s beginning to look a lot like christmas.

    My family always decorates for Christmas before the Thanksgiving leftovers are finished up, and I am thankful my husband humors me in this. I’m also thankful we got internet just in time for Christmas music on Grooveshark.com.  And to download and watch Charlie Brown’s Christmas last night.  And to Skype with Pat, Cathy, and Annie this morning.  The internet is a beautiful thing! We are pretty excited around here today . . . counting down the hours until Steve and Linda arrive at 3:00 a.m.  Many more pictures to come!