Saris, bangles, and forehead dots… So much to do in India. Here are just a few that we got to; We made Diwali Lanterns. Diwali is a “festival of Lights”. The Hindus light their homes during this festival to welcome their goddess (Lakshimi) of wealth and prosperity. We discussed how our God provides all our needs and how He is ever present and The Light of the World. 

DD decorated our front stoop with her own version of Rangoli art.

We watched a documentary of one particular festival in India. It was amazing the things these people do to try to win the favor of their gods. The more painful their sacrifice, the more they feel their god will be pleased with them. It breaks our hearts to see their striving knowing that God bore all suffering so that we wouldn’t have to. He so desires us only to ask Him to be in our hearts

We made Chapatis and dipped them in melted butter and Curry. Ahm Phul (which is basically a mango smoothy) is a new favorite, and Chai Tea an old favorite on a cold night.

DD and I are enjoying the story of Amy Carmichael in the evenings. What an incredible woman of humility and servanhood.

We took our No-Ruz centerpiece to the creek. (Yes, I actually emerged from the house) We ate lunch and as we threw our young seedlings into the water we thanked God for His goodness to us, for keeping us in His care through the winter. We prayed for His blessing in the newness of the spring and warmer days to come and that as we watch all things come into bloom and grow that he would also grow in our hearts... perhaps another tradition we will adopt in our family. Our cheery display box is still on the table. We are using it to collect flower seeds and spring planting ideas.

I believe we've decided to travel by camel to China...

Diwali Lanterns

Rangoli Art

No-Ruz Sprouted Centerpiece

Lunch at the creek 

Ringing in the spring