Our New Flat

"How do you like living in your new flat? What is it like?"

It has been wonderful living in our new flat. Yes, it has its problems (we are living in India) with water seeping through the wall when it rains, doors not shutting properly, toilet leaks here and there, etc. but, in general, things are working as it should. The water pressure is amazing, the view is superb, the convenience of playgrounds, elevators, and open areas for walking, running, etc. is just what we need as a family. The roads are wide and without potholes for the most part (in our township) so we can put the kids in the stroller and go for walks. Sometimes it is the only way that Paul and I can get some time together to talk and process our life. Elijah loves the playgrounds and the open area where he can run around, dance, sing out loud, and watch older kids play cricket. I can't wait to have a picnic out when the sun isn't so bright and it is a little bit cooler. I was thinking the other day how great it would be for the girls to practice walking on the grass when that time comes.....

I have been enjoying getting to know some of my neighbors who are friendly and great English speakers. There are some Nepalis in the apartment complex, but I hardly ever see them out. It seems like they keep to themselves. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that they are considered minorities.....Most of the folks that I have been meeting in our complex are of various ethnic backgrounds. It is a very diverse place. We have enjoyed two birthday parties and a couple of visits during the Hindu festival time as people visited with sweets. Elijah also has kids around his age that he is starting to get to know. One of the ways that I have been surprised by is how well Elijah remembers kids' names. For the life of me, I cannot get their names right and he is always correcting me!

I never knew this about myself until I moved to India--that I love lots of natural light. In the States, we take it for granted because usually homes have big windows that allow for lots of light to come in. In India, because of the density of population and the ways that buildings are built, it's hard to find places with lots of natural light. It is literally like a cement box and after five years of cement box, I am SO grateful to have windows--large windows that bring in light!

It has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Three bathrooms is a bonus but we're glad for the extra one because it has been functioning as our laundry room. It has been nice to have our own bathroom in the bedroom too. It's been great to have three bedrooms because I can now separate the girls--one in the guest/office and the other in our room--because they are napping and sleeping better at night. Elijah sleeps in the "kids' room" (we call it that so that he doesn't think it is his own because we hope to put all three in the room so that Paul can have a functioning office and a guest room). It is where the kids hang out when they are inside the flat.

Last month, as Paul and I celebrated our twelve years of marriage, we talked about what were some surprises that we didn't expect would happen or be like when we got married. One of the things that Paul shared was that we would be living in Uttorayon (which is the name of our township), which I heartily agreed. We both had ideals about the kind of life that field workers lived and the kind of homes that we would live in. It is far different than what we had imagined. I'm not even sure if I can fully articulate everything, but I didn't imagine myself living in a multi-story, multi-unit apartment complex in a new housing development, living among upper-middle class English speaking people! There are so many different ways to "live among" or "be among" the culture that you are in and we realized that we had a very specific and perhaps narrow view of what that meant.

When we were in the process about our decision to move here, I was reminded during my prayer time a brief interaction I had with God about ten years ago in China. I had visited my parents and they were living in a similar place like ours--a really nice apartment complex. And, I found myself wrestling inside because it did not match my idea of how a field worker should live. So, I remember kind of judging my parents and grumbling to God about it. And I distinctly remember the Lord speaking to me, "Why are you judging them? You don't know what process they went through with ME in choosing to live in this place? Maybe one day, you will find yourself in a similar situation like them." I remember repenting of my judgmental attitude toward them realizing that it was true, I didn't know the process they had with God over their decision. So, I asked and they shared with me how they came to a place of deciding to live there. And, now I find myself in a similar kind of living situation as them and I am thankful to God for His wisdom in addressing my attitude over ten years ago.

I am learning that it's not about our ideals but trusting and following as the Father leads us. We just didn't think that this place would be one of the places that He would lead us to live in. I am so thankful for God's blessing in providing this place for us for our good and for the blessing of others.

(Pics will be posted later..)