Aloha!

Sorry this post is late. For political reasons last week, India banned access to all blogs, which gives a me a good excuse for not posting. However, in all reality, I wouldn't have posted yet anyway. Things have been quite busy since I've been back, but they have been good. I am in an intensive Hindi class for these 2 weeks, so I've been gone alot. However, right now I am home and want to share with you about my incredible trip to Hawaii with my family!

Hawaii is definately the most beautiful place in the world (at least in my opinion), and is a stark contrast from where I currently live. The place was absolutely amazing! However, the greatest part of Hawaii was that my family was there. It was a great time to spend with them. We talked alot, laughed alot, ate alot, and just had alot of fun!

I traveled to Hawaii from Thailand and actually arrived 12 hours before they did. However, the fun began even before they arrived. I caught a taxi who happened to be driven by a Vienamese American lady who was just a fun, crazy person. I got to know her a bit that morning and later that night, she agreed to take me back to the airport to meet my family for a really cheap price. (She had another customer she was supposed to pick up at the same time) Of course, it required me to ride in the front seat and act like I was a driver in training while she stole leis for my family at the Four Season. In the process, I did get to meet all the valet parkers at the Four Seasons and they snuck food out to the car for me. It was really funny and I really like Cyndi alot.

My parents arrived with tears and hugs and it was great reunion. It was sort of like those you see in the movies, but not quite as dramatic :). Reunions are always good though. They are definately one of my "simple joys" (more on that in the next post).

From that point on, we had an entire week together, doing all the activies the island of Maui had to offer. We went to a traditional Hawaiin luau, which had an awesome buffet (food was something that I enjoyed throughout the week :). We of course did the beach stuff. Zack, Lori, and I learned to surf, which is now my current favorite sport! It really isn't as hard as it looks. Of course, we weren't surfing 8 foot waves or anything, but it still wasn't too hard. At first, I wiped out everytime, but with a little coaching, it got easier, and was alot of fun! One day Daddy and Zack played golf while Momma, Lori, and I shopped, which is always fun for us. We went snorkeling off the coast one day. I had never been snorkeling before and to be honest was a little skeptical at first. I didn't think it would be much fun, but I was very wrong. It was amazing! The water was so clear that you could see everything! It was very cool. We also just spent time on the beach and in the water.

The last full day we were there, we wented scooters and journeyed up the Road to Hanna. That was probably one of my favorite days. The Road to Hanna winds through mountains on the cliffs above the ocean, and it absolutely beautiful. The first part we drove through tropical rainforest near where Jurassic Park was filmed. It rained on us of course (hence the name rainforest) but it didn't matter. Then the road continued on to open fields overlooking the incredible Pacific. Words can't describe the beauty, nor can these pictures, but it was amazing.

All too quickly the week had to come to a close, and I had to make the 40 hour trip through 5 countries back to India. I am just so thankful for the week I had. I am thankful for the beauty of Maui, but most of all thankful for my family who met me there. Ya'll are the best and I love you bunches and bunches!

Glories of Thailand

I am currently at a conference in Thailand, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite countries. Right now in my life, Thailand seems to be like a little Amerca, except they don't speak English. They have most western amenities, and it is just a neat place. However, I am beginning to wonder how cool this place really is, and if it is just really cool compared to the city I came from. I wonder if I came straight to this city from America if I would think it was so great. I think my impression would be altered slightly if that was the case, but that isn't the case. I did not come here from America. I came from India and I think it is awesome! I am loving every minute of it!

We are in meetings most days, which have been good and encouraging, and we have the evenings free to enjoy the glories of Thailand. I am just going to list my favorite things about Thailand. They are numbered, but that really doesn't mean their rank.

1. The Thai people are incredible. They are all very gentle people who are extremely friendly. Sometimes they are almost too friendly, if thats possible. Their gentleness is in stark contrast to the people in everday life in my country. The change is refreshing.

2. All types of food is available here - the most popular thing being BEEF! There are several restaurants ran by Americans that offer all the best - hamburgers, ribs, fried chicken, twice baked potatoes, and sweet tea! Eating is one of my favorite activites and eating all my favorites from home is always alot of fun.

3. The prices are great. Although this city is very western, the prices are still Asian, which means 50-75% lower than American prices. Woohoo! This means that I can actaully fund all my eating out and shopping excursions. For example of their amazing prices: 1 hour Thai massage $3.75. Yes, I've had 2 and hope to get another.

4. The night market is my favorite place to go! Shopping at outdoor markets in other countries is definately one of my favortie pasttimes. I love it! This city has an incredible night market that has all types of stuff like movies, cds, clothes, shoes, Thai silk, jewelry, etc. I love to go just walk around, and of course I've bought a few things too :) I think I've gone almost every night. Of course, #3 is a huge plus for this market.

5. The people I'm with are amazing also. At this conference, I've been reunited with tons of friends from all over the world. It is always great to see all them, and to hear their stories. It is a great time of encouragement and just for fun. We've ate alot, talked alot, went to a concert, went bowling, went shopping, got massages, pedicures, etc.

6. Worship. For the first time in probably 6 months I have had a chance to gather together with other believers and worship in my own mother tongue. What a blessing that has been! Sometimes we don't realize that we need something until we experience it. Imagine someone who lived in a dry desert all their life. They wouldn't recognize it as a desert, because they would not know that there was anything different out there. However, if they ever felt rain, saw its cleansing power as it covered the earth and brought new growth, then they would trully realize the desert in which they had been living. This week I discovered I was in a desert. Yes, physically, I live in a desert, but I discovered spiritually I was in a desert also. As the first chorus was sang, it was as if the raindrops were beginning to fall, as did my tears. I can't exactly explain that feeling, but it was an incredible moment. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done in my own desert, but streams flowed in that day that for which I am very grateful.

Happy 4th of July Thai Style

Happy 4th of July! This marks a special July 4th for me, because it is my first July 4th outside the U.S. However, we all celebrated it just the same. We had the afternoon off, we had a cook out at the largest pool I have ever seen! It was a fun afternoon of swimming, games, snow cones, and of course food. The hamburgers were a big hit of course, but my favorite was the corn bread! We completed the American day with a trip to Starbucks (I still don't like coffee but everyone here goes to Starbucks twice a day. We don't have them in India). It was not quite the same as being at home, but it was a good day none the less. I was having so much fun that I didn't take hardly any pictures. Sorry!