On Christ the solid Rock I stand...All other ground is sinking sand.

Oy Vei...Been in India a week and a half now. What a crazy journey this has been!!
First, we flew into Chennai, but then I jumped on a plane to Varanasi for the week with Ginny. Varanasi is the number 1 hindu pilgramage in all of India. It was an...interesting and heavy place. But very glad we got to see it. I think I will be praying about doing a School of Hindu studies there. I think it would be a good basis for living here, just to have a better understanding of the Hindu culture. Anywhoo..it was fantastic reuniting with Ginny :)
Then after a week there I TRIED to fly back to Chennai..and it ended up turning into a 20 hour ordeal when it should have only been 7. My flight got delayed, so I missed my connection, booked a new ticket, that flight got canceled. Then the next plane wasn't until the next morning and then THAT plane was delayed 4 hours. Needless to say it was scary doing that by myself, but I met an American couple that I hung close to during that. Then finally got to Chennai and reunited with Emily and Adam from Holmtsed!! It was a beautiful reunion and it was great getting to know the India team from Holmsted that is here now.

Chennai has been so amazing. Very surreal being back here. I absolutely adore the family we're staying with...they are so hospitible and have been great. Also--I finally saw Avanthika aggain after a year. That was a beautiful reunion as well. I didnt approach her right away at first, but she was quietly watching me the whole time, so when I finally went up to her, she jumped into my arms and I started crying so much!! :) But it was great seeing her again. The orphanage is still a hard and awful place to be in...but I know God has them all in His hands, it's just hard to trust and believe that with my heart. Either way, just a short and rushed update, but just letting you all know how India has been so far :) Thank you SO much for your continual prayers. It helps so much. We get back to the States in 2 weeks and would love to catch up :)
Much love...
xx

here we go...

It is the eve of our trip to India...we fly out tomorrow around 1pm. Where's the time gone? Can't believe it's already time to leave and say goodbye. I hate goodbyes...but they are necessary to see only the truly dear friends again.

This is it...this is what this whole past year has been building up to. To go back. To feel that burn again. I can't wait. It's so lovely having Emily here...Love having DTS friends be able to see life here at home :)

I am so ready to be consumed by the culture, the smells, the heat again. I feel like my heart thirsts for it. To be used. To love.

My heart could explode at this very moment.

So much love. Will try my hardest to update from the mother land!! :D

xx

Consume Me

1 week. Just 1 week and I'll be back in India. It's so hard to believe.
As I was having breakky with my mom the other day it hit me that I am actually going back. I can't believe how seamlessly everything has worked out...God's hands were over it the whole time. I love that when He wants you to do something, it works out without a flaw. It's amazing.

I am so excited. If you think of it, be praying for our safety and that traveling for 30 hours goes as smoothly as possible :)

love.
xx

Meep!

Oh Goodness! 17 days until we head back to India.
I am getting so anxious...Everything has worked out so, so perfectly down to the smallest detail. Everything with flights is panning out splendidly and the time I feel is going to be divided perfectly between Varanasi and Chennai.

I want to go now...can hardly wait to get on a plane and get back to where I left my heart.

As far as the trip goes: We are leaving 12th January and Emily will be in Chennai the whole time and after we fly into Chennai at 2am (!) I jump on a flight up to Varanasi for a week...then after that, a little over 2 weeks in Chennai at the orphanage, Bernard's, and with Avanthika :) Then we fly home 5th February.

As far as Varanasi everything has worked out perfectly with accommodations and while we are there, we will be able to go to some worship times that will be held in Hindi--can't wait! Varanasi itself is absolutely stunning..it is right on the Ganges river and our hotel is right in the heart of the city.

Gah...If only everything here and people here weren't so distracting. I'm getting really, really sick of the same old, mundane things that are constantly going on around me. I am over caught up in that anymore.
My sights and heart are not meant for here.

You hold the Universe..

It baffles me just how sovereign my God is...and how He really does hold everything in his hands...why do I worry so much when I have the God of the Universe on my side?

Something I keep having to get reminded of time and time again: It's all in His hands! I don't need to worry..because he really works everything out. And nothing that is out of His plan will happen. It's all perfectly orchestrated. How beautiful.

Down to the countdown...only 33 days until we fly out for India. I can't believe it's really happening...I can't believe I will get to hold Avanthika in my arms again in a matter of weeks. I don't think it's going to hit me until we are on the plane over. I think this trip is going to be so amazing in several ways. Numero uno: It will be a DTS reunion of sorts with old DTS staff and friends...how lovely :) Numero dos: I really think this trip will be huge for me...going to Varanasi, praying God's plan for me in India out and hopefully getting direction on where I'm called, and seeing Avanthika again...it will be just a reminder of how Big God is...and how even the tiniest orphan has a purpose. and just seeing that expression of God's love again is going to be overwhelming. My heart can't contain itself.


This is what I live for.


xx

Untitled

"Bad company corrupts good character"
This is something that is becoming increasingly clear to me. No matter how strong I am or how hard I work to stand up for what I know is right..if I'm in company with bad people..that essentially almost means nothing.

No more of that. I have too much to offer to let it go to waste.

xx

Send Your Glory

I am going back to India sooner than I thought....by the amazing grace of God and every door opening up...I am headed back to India in January!
Due to work...I can only be there just around 3 1/2 weeks...But it's going to be amazing.
Word's can't express how stoked I am and how my heart is absolutely burning to go back!

Turns out that Emily can go with me..there was some worry for a while that she couldn't; so now I won't be traveling across the world by myself ha, also, we will be in Chennai for a bulk of the time then I am going to head up to Varanasi for about 5 days to meet up with my leader from my outreach, Ginny. It's going to be amazing. I still have no clue where I am called to in India and I am praying that this upcoming trip will help with that.
Recently, Varanasi has really been put on my heart, hence why I want to visit so badly. It is the number on Hindu pilgrimage in all of India. It's considered the most holy city. It is going to be amazing.
While we are in Chennai, we are going to be seeing our good friend Adam and his team that he is leading from England! It will be a joyous trip of many happy reunions :)

Some things to pray for...
-Finances...I have all my money, and I think Em has most of hers, but just that we would be able to stay within our budget and use our money wisely
-Safety/Health..for obvious reasons :)
-Preparedness of our hearts....It was quite easy to be spiritually and mentally prepared when going with an organization like YWAM..but this time it's just us and God. Pray that I could stay focused in my relationship with Him so I can be prepared for this upcoming trip..

Just an update...will post more as more things get finalized. Thank you sososoo much for your prayers and whatnot

xx
Andie