Some of you have asked for a run-down of our typical day. This is a bit difficult because every day is not exactly like the others :) Although we are getting into somewhat of a routine, it seems like change is a constant, especially in our new host culture! I will, however, try to give a quick "schedule" of a normal day. Here goes...
The alarm clock goes off around 7 am (though sometimes Haley and Toby are up earlier), and we grab a quick breakfast. Thankfully, they have a variety of cereals here, since I'm not quite to the point of cooking 2 meals a day---maybe in a few months! Cooking has been in the experimental stages for the last few months :) Our house helper comes to clean anywhere between 7:15 am-10 am. There have been a few times she's arrived and I hadn't even made it out of bed yet! Thankfully, Toby was awake to greet her and let her in. She is a huge blessing, and sweeps, mops, dusts, and washes dishes for us 5 days out of the week. I don't know what I would do without her!
Around 9 am, we have language with our nurturer. This will soon change as Toby and I will separate for language study. I am hoping to have a lady, or two, who will come to our house and help me with my nurturing time. Language usually goes from 9-12ish. Sometimes Haley sleeps during this time. Language is a lot more enjoyable when she does :) She is really starting to get into everything so when she's up and about during that time I don't always get to be engaged as I would like to be. Another reason why separate tutoring will be good :)
After lunch, Toby and I both try to get out and about in our community--sometimes together and sometimes separately. Visiting our local iron walla and his family, going to the fresh fruit and vegetable stands, the import store, or the beach are some of our frequent stops---all the while trying to practice the little Telugu we have. We are also trying to explore new parts of our town that we haven't yet spent much time in. I (MP) usually come back by 3:30 or 4 PM so I can start the dinner-making process. And let me just say, it is definitely a process. It's more time consuming than I ever thought it would be. However, I am encouraged because we are now eating more than pancakes and potatoe soup, though those are still two solid stand-by meals :)
After dinner, we will sometimes do a family devotional or just rest and play together. Once Haley goes to sleep, Toby and I hit the Telugu books. Okay, so there are really no books, but we do study by listening to the recordings of our language nurturer saying different words or phrases. That usually lasts an hour or so...and by then, we are really ready for bed...our minds are spent! Then we get up and do it all over again, in some form or fashion.
As we are getting more used to life here, I was thinking about how much time and energy it takes to just live life. Some days it's really not easy. Not having the language, learning the culture, setting up a home, making friends, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and family time can consume everything we've got. I was encouraged by a song a friend introduced to me. It's called, "The Great Awakening," by Leeland. For me, it's a perfect reminder of letting go the things that consume my mind on a daily basis, and remembering how the Father can transform the lives of the people we live among, even amidst our learning curve. I was reminded, once again, that it's all about Him! I hope you have that same vision where you live, as well.
Great Awakening
The alarm clock goes off around 7 am (though sometimes Haley and Toby are up earlier), and we grab a quick breakfast. Thankfully, they have a variety of cereals here, since I'm not quite to the point of cooking 2 meals a day---maybe in a few months! Cooking has been in the experimental stages for the last few months :) Our house helper comes to clean anywhere between 7:15 am-10 am. There have been a few times she's arrived and I hadn't even made it out of bed yet! Thankfully, Toby was awake to greet her and let her in. She is a huge blessing, and sweeps, mops, dusts, and washes dishes for us 5 days out of the week. I don't know what I would do without her!
Around 9 am, we have language with our nurturer. This will soon change as Toby and I will separate for language study. I am hoping to have a lady, or two, who will come to our house and help me with my nurturing time. Language usually goes from 9-12ish. Sometimes Haley sleeps during this time. Language is a lot more enjoyable when she does :) She is really starting to get into everything so when she's up and about during that time I don't always get to be engaged as I would like to be. Another reason why separate tutoring will be good :)
After lunch, Toby and I both try to get out and about in our community--sometimes together and sometimes separately. Visiting our local iron walla and his family, going to the fresh fruit and vegetable stands, the import store, or the beach are some of our frequent stops---all the while trying to practice the little Telugu we have. We are also trying to explore new parts of our town that we haven't yet spent much time in. I (MP) usually come back by 3:30 or 4 PM so I can start the dinner-making process. And let me just say, it is definitely a process. It's more time consuming than I ever thought it would be. However, I am encouraged because we are now eating more than pancakes and potatoe soup, though those are still two solid stand-by meals :)
After dinner, we will sometimes do a family devotional or just rest and play together. Once Haley goes to sleep, Toby and I hit the Telugu books. Okay, so there are really no books, but we do study by listening to the recordings of our language nurturer saying different words or phrases. That usually lasts an hour or so...and by then, we are really ready for bed...our minds are spent! Then we get up and do it all over again, in some form or fashion.
As we are getting more used to life here, I was thinking about how much time and energy it takes to just live life. Some days it's really not easy. Not having the language, learning the culture, setting up a home, making friends, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and family time can consume everything we've got. I was encouraged by a song a friend introduced to me. It's called, "The Great Awakening," by Leeland. For me, it's a perfect reminder of letting go the things that consume my mind on a daily basis, and remembering how the Father can transform the lives of the people we live among, even amidst our learning curve. I was reminded, once again, that it's all about Him! I hope you have that same vision where you live, as well.
Great Awakening
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