Things are changing.
It's April. My departure date is nearing closer. Terrifyingly close.
I spent last week in Denver with my best friend, and it was truly wonderful. I was there for a week of clinicals at a mental health facility, and I got off work early every afternoon. Besides my free schedule enabling me to enjoy the beautiful weather, I was finally able to catch up on some Perspectives homework, bridal shower shopping for my roommates, and pure relaxation and enjoyment.
It's kind of funny when I think about how last year I was training for a marathon and spending every free moment outside sweating my guts out to Bollywood on my iPod. This year, I'm just working and being a not-too-far-behind grad. student. Everything else has kind of been placed on hold and my time to just sit and enjoy life hasn't happened this semester. Even spending a weekend at my sisters' just became a source of stress as I could get an adequate amount of time in for neither my paper nor my niece and nephews. So, having last week where I was just able to sit outside at a park and read a book or stare at the mountains or hang out and chat without turning on the laptop to submit an assignment dangerously close to the deadline--I am so thankful for it.
I know that when I begin my assignments (which are due tomorrow), I will begin to feel the tight schedule again and will forget about the beautiful moments of this past week. So, right now, I just want to remember the peacefulness. Remember the laughs, the clients, the friends. Remember what it's like to live with almost no calendar and only my stomach and the sky telling me the time.
I thank God for last week, because I know He didn't have to give it to me. As I returned to work and school today, my heart has been thankful for that break, for the blessings that He didn't have to give to me.
If you have read this far, I suppose I ought to give you the update on my trip: I am going, after all, and that's why this blog even exists. I've raised an extraordinary amount over my fundraising goal, and I am thankful to all of you who have supported me. I am blessed to be able to bless the children with funds for schooling and therapeutic/medical equipment/treatments.
One of the organizations still hasn't told me exactly what I'll be doing there, but I'm on "Indian time" now, so I will do my best not to panic until two days before I'm supposed to go to that site. Whatever it is, be it a leper colony or therapy in the slums, or even language training, I know that it will be God's will. In the meantime, here's an updated list of prayers, if you are willing:
1. The children, the workers, the directors at the sites. Let God move in them and through them.
2. That God will continue to work in India and through India. It's hard not to feel alone at times in my love for this nation, which I have yet to visit. These people are so dear to my heart, but I know they are nearer to God's. He has been moving in them and He will continue to, with or without me.
3. Hope. See previous item. I need hope, and I struggle desperately with trusting God. My heart has been torn to shreds lately, and I just need some hope to replace the numbness. Otherwise, my presence in India and these people's lives--even my time in Columbia--will be worthless. I have many, but especially one, friend who also needs hope. They need the hope that comes through Him. Pray that they may seek that hope. Pray passionately for them, even though I am not mentioning their name.
Thank you all for your encouragement, but especially your prayers.
Dil se, Marla
It's April. My departure date is nearing closer. Terrifyingly close.
I spent last week in Denver with my best friend, and it was truly wonderful. I was there for a week of clinicals at a mental health facility, and I got off work early every afternoon. Besides my free schedule enabling me to enjoy the beautiful weather, I was finally able to catch up on some Perspectives homework, bridal shower shopping for my roommates, and pure relaxation and enjoyment.
It's kind of funny when I think about how last year I was training for a marathon and spending every free moment outside sweating my guts out to Bollywood on my iPod. This year, I'm just working and being a not-too-far-behind grad. student. Everything else has kind of been placed on hold and my time to just sit and enjoy life hasn't happened this semester. Even spending a weekend at my sisters' just became a source of stress as I could get an adequate amount of time in for neither my paper nor my niece and nephews. So, having last week where I was just able to sit outside at a park and read a book or stare at the mountains or hang out and chat without turning on the laptop to submit an assignment dangerously close to the deadline--I am so thankful for it.
I know that when I begin my assignments (which are due tomorrow), I will begin to feel the tight schedule again and will forget about the beautiful moments of this past week. So, right now, I just want to remember the peacefulness. Remember the laughs, the clients, the friends. Remember what it's like to live with almost no calendar and only my stomach and the sky telling me the time.
I thank God for last week, because I know He didn't have to give it to me. As I returned to work and school today, my heart has been thankful for that break, for the blessings that He didn't have to give to me.
If you have read this far, I suppose I ought to give you the update on my trip: I am going, after all, and that's why this blog even exists. I've raised an extraordinary amount over my fundraising goal, and I am thankful to all of you who have supported me. I am blessed to be able to bless the children with funds for schooling and therapeutic/medical equipment/treatments.
One of the organizations still hasn't told me exactly what I'll be doing there, but I'm on "Indian time" now, so I will do my best not to panic until two days before I'm supposed to go to that site. Whatever it is, be it a leper colony or therapy in the slums, or even language training, I know that it will be God's will. In the meantime, here's an updated list of prayers, if you are willing:
1. The children, the workers, the directors at the sites. Let God move in them and through them.
2. That God will continue to work in India and through India. It's hard not to feel alone at times in my love for this nation, which I have yet to visit. These people are so dear to my heart, but I know they are nearer to God's. He has been moving in them and He will continue to, with or without me.
3. Hope. See previous item. I need hope, and I struggle desperately with trusting God. My heart has been torn to shreds lately, and I just need some hope to replace the numbness. Otherwise, my presence in India and these people's lives--even my time in Columbia--will be worthless. I have many, but especially one, friend who also needs hope. They need the hope that comes through Him. Pray that they may seek that hope. Pray passionately for them, even though I am not mentioning their name.
Thank you all for your encouragement, but especially your prayers.
Dil se, Marla
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