Have you heard?

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Zolligirl

I went to India! While there, I was hanging out with 46 of the coolest kids on earth. I kept thinking how much the MoonPie would enjoy getting to know them, so my goal is to take her next year. But honestly, the kids set the bar so high for behavior, I’ll have to spend the next 365 days preparing her.

I am not exaggerating. They were soooo good – here’s a story to illustrate. One day, we (and by “we” I mean I had nothing to do with it) arranged for the kids to visit the zoo. It was a two-hour ride, EACH WAY, on a bus with no air conditioning, to a zoo that had a large exhibit devoted solely to the PIGEON, yet not one child complained. No one asked me for a soda, cried about the heat, or begged to be carried. Well, no one but me.

So here’s the plan. A) We practice behavior modification on a large scale, consistently and creatively disciplining the MoonPie until she can stand extreme temperatures, long, dusty bus rides, and a sugar-less diet.

or B) Dress her in something cute and hope no one notices.

Exactly.

I’m Annoying

Posted on April 19, 2010April 20, 2010 by Zolligirl

This might not be the best time to hang out with me. Basically, all conversations are a variation of the examples listed below:

1) Husband: Do you feel like steak tonight? I think we’re out of gas but I could run and get some for the grill. How does that sound?

Me: Does this have Kingdom consequences?

Husband: Uh… probably not?

2) Husband: I’m resetting the modem.

Me: In INDIA, I didn’t even have a modem.

Husband: Can you believe the pollen count is so high?

Me: Does this have Kingdom consequences?

I’m sure I’ll get over it eventually. It’s just one of those things people go through. People that are cool, international travelers on a quest of transformation that is.

I’m Baaaacckkk!

Posted on April 18, 2010 by Zolligirl

Internet, I’ll never take you for granted again! While you are reading this blog in the climate-controlled comfort of your home/office, some sweaty tourist is walking in the hot sun praying that the internet cafe has electricity today. Feeling blessed? I’m not so sure. Once the shock of not being able to access the web at any time wore off, it was actually a GOOD thing. I haven’t checked a political blog or news site in over two weeks and I’ve never felt better. Same goes for the television. If I had to narrow the spiritual lessons from India into one sentence it would be this – It is much easier to hear and see God, when you’re looking at Him.

Yes, I had to go all the way to India to learn that.

Anyway, I can’t really tell you the details of my trip. It’s dangerous for people that worship the Big Guy in India, so you just have to trust me – it was awesome. The bar for me, my family and my daughter has been raised – big time. But here are a few of the highlights –

We started every morning with prayer in the Prayer Garden. I surprised myself by looking forward to it! It’s amazing how much better your day seems when you start it off some with quiet time.

After lunch, we usually had a free hour or so. Most days we used it to walk to a local store for cold soda’s. Cold is relative in India. On this particular day we also bought a watermelon. It was $1.00. I’m 100% positive we paid too much but it’s hard to negotiate while sweaty and drooling.

We spent one day at WonderLa. This is the only ride I rode. It was enough.

Strip mall – Bangalore style.

Delirious, waiting to board yet another plane.

Speaking of which, I’m exhausted and ready for bed. I’m not sure how long it’s been since I slept, but I think I left India sometime yesterday. Thanks for all your support, prayers and encouraging words! If you want the full scoop, feel free to stop by and look at my 3,000 pictures. Well, for the “full” scoop you’ll have to go to India yourself, but until then, come on over!

Lisa

Alive in India!

Posted on April 13, 2010April 13, 2010 by Zolligirl

Really, REALLY alive. This is an awesome place to see. India is crazy/wild/chaotic/noisy/indescribable but the place where I am staying is the most amazing place in the world. I’m warning you, I may be a bit different when I come home. The good news is I’m pretty sure most of you are ready to see a different side of me.

The prayers are working and I haven’t been afraid once since I landed. I’m missing the family BUNCHES but God is helping me by giving me new things to focus on – like “when is my next shower,” and “how long ago did my deodorant fail?”

Growing up in Zollicoffer has prepared me for India more than you’d think. Two days ago I used the bathroom in an open field. And there was very little to hide behind. Reminded my of all those afternoon spent 4-wheeling. I also went to church where I didn’t understand much and there was no A/C. Thank you Flatt Creek C of C! I’m acclimating pretty well.

This is me sampling the local transportation.

Getting a coke at the convenience store.

The TEAM bringing home groceries. Yesterday we went to a local water park where I swam in a pair of leggings and a long shirt. I haven’t looked that good in a bathing suit in years!

Well, it’s another 25 minute walk home in the boiling sun. We’ve got lots of fun things to do this evening and by “fun” I mean a bucket shower. It’s more awesome than you know.

If you are sitting in A/C on high speed internet, surrounded by people you love, then complain about nothing!

Sending a big, sweaty, smelly hug from India,

Lisa

Internet, How I’ve Missed You

Posted on April 10, 2010 by Zolligirl

Finally! 7 days and a 1 mile walk in the hot Indian sun and I’m online at last! India is great, but my one source of frustration has been that after a year of blogging about my poor cooking skills and dirty house, I’m actually doing something cool and can’t BLOG.

First of all, everyone in our group is fine. We’re having a great time and doing some cool stuff . On the first day we were plopped in the middle of the city for a Scavenger Hunt. We had to find things like a “beadie” and a “lungee”. The team that spent the least won. We got an auto rickshaw ride for 10 rupies, which is basically 25 cents.

Have to run. It’s a long walk back and must be there for lunch. I miss the hubbie and MoonPie but am trying REALLY hard not to go there. I’ll update when I can.

Love from India,

Dubai

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Zolligirl

I’m here. In the airport, wrinkled, tired and probably smelly, but I’m here! Whoo Hoo. We’re just getting ready to board for the second part of the journey. So far I’ve watched Sherlock Holmes, Juno, and The Blind Side, eaten 45,000 calories and slept for 4 hours. Awesome.

Travel tip of the day: The bathroom on a 14 hour flight deteriorates quickly. Go first.

Love you all. XOXOX

Holy Sunday

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Zolligirl

The big day is here! Yes, it’s Easter. He is risen! How awesome is that?

¹After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.²There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.⁷Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28: 1-7

The tomb was empty. And that is pretty much THAT! I was thinking the other day how perfect God’s timing is. Can you imagine if He had waited until the 21st century to have Jesus be born? We’d see the death penalty carried out on Fox News, and people would be twittering, Dude, Like the tomb is empty! Doesn’t have the same ring to it, huh?

Speaking of Easter, did you know I’m going to India? TONIGHT? Yes, at 9:45 p.m. I’ll be boarding a 14 hour flight to Dubai. At 9:50 p.m. I’ll be remembering how my father-in-law told me that the most dangerous point of a flight is the take-off, cause that’s when most engines stall. Hopefully, at 9:51 I’ll be breathing a sigh of relief and opening a book to read.

Thank you to everyone who sent money, prayed over me, emailed encouraging words and basically helped me keep it together to this point. I love you all!

Here’s a few shots of some of the team members. We met today to pack all of our stuff. I have one suitcase just for candy. I gave up sweets for Lent, and I’ve got to make up for lost time. Meet Kim. She can run a 6 minute mile. If we get chased by a cobra, I’ll have to trip her. I have a strong survival instinct.

Andrea sews, sings, loves Jesus, loves kids, loves meeting new people. Super sweet. Basically my twin.

Greg, the only man going with us. I blogged about him once. Remember, he swam with sharks, for fun? Exactly. I’ve got almost no chance of coming back alive. The other friend going is Mantamy. She’s not pictured but she will be. OH, SHE WILL BE.

I’ve given JD the super-secret password to this blog, and he’s got permission to upload some of the photos from our Easter celebration. Yes, I bought my daughter a black Easter dress, what about it? I’ll try to twitter and blog when I can over the next two weeks, but it will probably be sporadic.

So until then, He is risen! Be encouraged.

Essentials

Posted on April 2, 2010 by Zolligirl

Here are a few items from my suitcase, items that are a MUST when traveling to exotic locations.

Mosquito repellent, in both the 40% Deet spray, and the 7% wipes. Smart.

It’s body wash, it’s shampoo, it’s laundry detergent all in ONE. Makes sense.

A couple of decks of playing cards. Sure, why not? Everyone needs to relax.

ANOTHER two sets of playing cards. Good thinking; what if the others get lost or damaged? It pays to be prepared.

Hey, how’d that get in there? Oh well, it’s too late to unpack it now. And since the first leg is a 14 hour flight, all my companions will have time to read it at least twice.

These two weeks are going to fly by.