Sometimes, you just have to laugh about life

My life has seemed even more busy and full lately.  Here are some things that are either funny, crazy or caught me off guard...but in life, you have to laugh things off and deal things with a smile.  Some of those things are: not having an ATM card for about 2 weeks now...yeah, that's fun.  I've learned a lesson that you can be much happier with your car if you get regular scheduled maintenance done.  Also, I am cat-sitting my friend's (LoLo) cat (because she's on her honeymoon) and the other night I ran out of contact solution at her house but it was late & I didn't want to go to the store so I used my re-wetting drops and kept them glass cups because I also couldn't find my contact case.  It all worked out and my contacts didn't bother me the next day, so you just gotta laugh :)  And the next day I had to buy contact solution, a case, and more eye drops.  Currently, the cat (Piper) is snuggling with me on the couch my the computer because she thinks my computer "pprrs" a little bit.  She is such a funny cat...she'll snuggle with me, when I wake up she'll come over to me in the bed and nose nuzzle me, and loves playing.  I know, it's weird for me to be talking about a cat (because I'm a more of a dog person) but if I had to choose a cat as a pet, I'd want one like Piper :)  Well, I will leave you with a picture of Piper and something funny a little girl said to me this week.  A 5 yr. old girl I sit for was jumping on her trampoline and tells me she can do a backflip (I knew she was making this up, but I was supportive with a "really? that's great") and then says she's gonna show me a jump and asks "will you tell me if I fall?" (and I'm thinking, you'll probably also know if you've falling.  Silly girl :)  And here's the picture...I call it "Cat & (computer) mouse"

Moneywise

So, I started to write this blog about 2 weeks ago.  I know it had been a while since I last blogged... to be honest, I felt like I was so overwhelmed with babysitting and all the things going on I didn't have it in me to blog.  Because of that as well I didn't have inspiration about what to blog about.  Then, when I sat down to blog yesterday a flood of ideas came in.  Funny how that works, isn't it.  In the past 3-4 weeks I have: bought (a roundtrip) ticket to Washington D.C. (woot woot!), bought Switchfoot concert tickets for their hometown (San Diego) concert, finally bought a nice replacement straightening iron, and I actually moved into my new place with my own room!  Phew.  That's a mouthful, and a lot of expenses.  Seriously crazy.  However, that's all paid for with cash.  I know that some of those things aren't necessary, but they're things that I've been waiting (and waiting) on.  I've just been thinking about my expenses lately, and how I'm blessed to be able to save some money lately in preparation for all these things.  And, of course, I've had a lot of work lately.  It definitely isn't not easy to manage finances...it takes work and planning.  But i find it very valuable for me to balance my checkbook and also plan ahead to see what babysitting jobs that are in the future and the amount of work I have lined up.  I've prayed that I can also get some rest and feel refreshed, because I have definitely been feeling bogged down/tired because I've been working more than usual.  And I feel that this past weekend being with some lovely friends and having a big 'ole celebration has brought me lots of joy and a renewed perspective (albeit, even if I didn't get much extra rest in...but that's okay).  This might be a random post, but my purposes are to simply open people up to spending within their means and being accurate with the money they are keeping.  It can definitely be worthwhile.  (and, isn't my post title fitting? right?...moneywise...being wise with money...no? maybe it's just getting late...haha)  :)

Update...the good life :) (stream of consciousness post)

It's been too long since I last posted...and that seems to be the way that I have been starting my posts lately. My bad.  I really have been super busy.  I really feel like I am so blessed though, and have a wonderfully amazing life.  But, I thought I'd give a short update & also let you know that I have two (maybe 3) new posts in the makings (and let me tell you, they are good posts if I do say so myself) :)  I was in my best friends wedding this weekend.  (you know, the one where I posted about it here)  Anyway, it was simply an amazing wedding!  I seriously get a little choked up still when I think about it.  My best friend is now married!  Crazy.  She honestly stole the show with how stunning and absolutely gorgeous she looked.  And she threw an amazing wedding.  It was simply breathtaking, and at the end of the night she even said that it was way more than she expected/hoped for/anticipated.  All that to say, I know it wasn't easy for her to plan it so kudos again to you LoLo.  And congrats to you and your hubby!  I don't have any pics yet because I really didn't take any at all...because LoLo's sis was taking a good amount, there was also a professional photographer there, and also because my 3 year old not-top-of-the-line Canon Powershot battery displays a low battery warning after taking about 2 pic and I have to take the battery out and put it back in (and I believe the battery is newer).  Anyway, I digress.  I will share pics as soon as they are available to me :)  But, the memories of getting to spend the entire day & a half with LoLo before her wedding, the getting ready for the wedding, seeing her & her hubby's 1st glance, the ceremony, the kick-butt reception with amazing food/cake, fun dancing, a tasty candy station, and witnessing the love the couple have for each other and the love so many people have for them, and truly enjoying being a bridesmaid with LoLo's sis and a longtime family friend (who are both intelligent, funny & lovely women, and great company) is still fresh in my mind.  I still haven't heard anything from CBU, so I am going to contact them tomorrow...hmph.  Will update as soon as I know stuff too.  Oh yeah, all that in between working full time and cat sitting for LoLo while she's on vacation and a million other things :)  Another post I have in mind is sharing a photo of LoLo's cute cat Pipper.

A Bucket List

I was having a conversation with some friends from the India team a few weeks ago about things I want to do here on Earth.  It got me thinking about what I want to do with my life...thought I would share and I'd love to here any of yours! :)  I think it's cool to be able to come up with something tangible to get you thinking, as well as see the ways that God can bring the things you hope to see/do/accomplish to fruition.  It also reminds me of the movie "A Walk to Remember" where the character Mandy Moore plays has her own bucket list (one of which is getting married in the church her mother & father got married at...how sweet)

• become a nurse
• see a miracle
• take up surfing
• own a dog of my own
• purchase a house
• travel Europe
• be married
• adopt a child
• run a marathon (or half)
• learn how to play the drums
• go to New Zealand & Australia
• actually go through with getting the tattoo that I've design for myself (it's a cross that is written with words from Psalm 139)

I'm a simple girl, and am just beginning to scratch the surface of realizing some of my own hopes and dreams :)  

I also want to say Happy Easter to all of you!  I hope that you can take the time this weekend to either read some of the Easter story in the Gospels and to also think of the tremendous victory that God made for us some 2000 years ago, and the significance of our Saviors death.  I am taken aback when I think of it, and I know I cannot even fathom the full extent of the significance and victory.  Many blessings!

Long time, no blogging...

I can't believe it's been 16 days since I've last blogged...that's a long time.  I've been babysitting like a mad woman.  Things are going really well with that.  I love the places where I am babysitting.  It's been bringing me a lot of joy and laughter.  And also some great opportunities where I'm going to become a Licensed Childcare Provider.  I am also still waiting (and trying my very very best be also be patient) to hear from CBU.  I took a (very) quick weekend trip to the Bay Area last weekend to drive a friend to her parents and I also got to spend a day w/ my aunt, uncle & cousins.   I haven't seen them in a while (I think since this summer) so it was amazing to see them.  My little sister came home for a week on her Spring break, and I enjoyed her being here (surprisingly, we got along well).  I've been tired lately, because my schedule has really been that crazy busy.  But some exciting things are that I am moving in about two weeks, and the wedding of my best friend is in about 4 weeks.  :)  Anyway, I think that's about it...if I have anymore to blog about, I will :)  I'll leave you with some funny things that kids I sit for have said/done.

• A 5 year old boy I sit for got new neighbors, whose ethnicity is Chinese.  We were playing outside, and the neighbors come out and get in their car.  As they drive away the 5 year old says "Brittani, that's are new neighbors.  They eat Chinese food.  They are from China.".  (Kids don't typically filter what they say.  Good thing the neighbors car windows were rolled up.)
• The mom of the 5 year old mention above came home, and I was about ready to leave.  His mom always pays me cash and he understands that; and sometimes the mom lets the kids hand me the money.  So, the 5 year old boy says "mom, can I give Brittani my money?" and proceeds to get his moms wallet out of her purse.  
• Same 5 year old, and his 4 year old sister will randomly burst out singing Bon Jovi "shock to the heart, and your too late.  You give love a bad name"....oh my goodness, does that get me every time (partly because I like Bon Jovi and it's just so funny...I know their dad influenced them on that one & I wonder if he knows it)
• I was at the park with a 2 year old boy & 4 year old girl.  They were playing with a 3 year old boy who was at the park.  The 3 year old boy was digging a good size hole and his sitter asked him "what are you digging?".  He said "I'm digging to China, cause Jesus is there".  I was right there, so I said "yeah, you're right Jesus is there"   (all of this is beginning to make me realize there's a Chinese theme here with these kids...)
• getting big open mouth kisses from a cute little 11 month old when I do "airplane" with her or pretend to throw her up in the air because she likes it so much :)
• at the pre-school of the 5 year old boy I mentioned, there was an area of the playground marked off with red caution tape.  One of the boys friends was running around by it (and where I was standing) and says "I'm going into the danger zone" and lifts the tape up and goes under.  It reminded me of something that could be said in the movie Top Gun or something and then the song "Highway to the Danger Zone" starts playing

Sitting, waiting, wishing

"I've been sitting, waiting wishing" to hear anything back from CBU...but I haven't heard anything.  And at this point I really hope that not hearing anything is a good thing (or at least not a bad thing).  Something that I am being reminded of and taught is that I really need to utilize the power of prayer.I have so many people in my life who believe in prayer and I know pray for me; but I need to use these prayer warriors in regards to this aspect of my life because I haven't been good/disciplined with this.  So, if you guys would be able to pray for me I would so appreciate it!  And keep 'em coming!  Well, that's all the update really...and I'll leave you with some funny kid stories/quotes

• little 3 year old girl says to her adoptive brother "when I get older, will you marry me"...in her cutest little girl voice...her brother says "no, I'm gonna marry Ryder" (his friend)...so many things about this made me laugh...but I didn't at the time because it was very heartfelt :)
• little four year old girl calls her friend whose name is Antonia, "Aunt Onia"
• I'm watching a 4 year old girl and 5 year old boy for a few nights this week and the 4 year old girl has wanted to sleep with me at night...I let her and a couple times during the night I woke up to her snuggling with me...she's precious.  I'm sure she thought it was a fun sleepover.  

Happy birthday to my little sis (who isn't so little anymore!)!!!!

Happy Birthday Kor!   I love you lots!  I hope that you have a wonderful day today!  How is it that you were born 19 years ago today??!?!?!!?  I'm proud of you for so many things that you've done...for doing well in high school, going to college, being a wicked awesome cheerleader in high school, for being a hard worker, for being a real/truthful person.  Most of all for being you.  Beautiful you!  For old times sake, when you come back to OC you, Cristina, Brad & I should ride our bikes to Carl's Jr (I guess you can get fries or something...).  Love you lots, and I pray for even more blessings this year than the last!

The Funnies Page...brought to you by pre-schoolers :)

I've compiled some of the funny things that kids have said/done in my presence lately.  Man, kids can be so funny :)

• a 5 year old girl I sit for was asking me about nursing school.  She knows I'm pursuing going to nursing school, but I don't really talk to her about it but she brings it up occasionally.  But when I was sitting for her last week she asked me if I was a nurse yet, and I said "no, not yet.  Hopefully soon though".  Then she said "when you're a nurse, will you be my nurse?".  I said "YEAH, and you can come to the doctors office and I'll get you and say H, come back with me and I'll take care of you."  Her face lit up and she said "YEAH, that'd be so cool!"  And then a few minutes later she wanted to draw and she made me a card w/ a picture on it (couldn't tell you what exactly the picture was of) and she said "Brittani, this is for you.  It's for you to look at everyday to remember to be a nurse".  If that's not an obvious reminder to me.  haha
• I babysat a few days later for the same girl...it was night time when I got there and she was going to bed and wasn't feeling well.  I got to say good night to her before her parents put her to bed.  Then, her mom said that she told her "Brittani is my favorite nurse"...aww.  I love ya too H! :)
• I was watching a one year and a half year old girl who is very smart.  I was putting her down for her nap...we just read a Dora book and went in her room.  I had just changed her diaper, gave her the binky, and her blanket when she points to go out of her room and says "Dora book".  I thought, "okay, maybe she wants to bring the book with her to bed" so I go out to the living room and sit on the couch with her to get it and maybe look at one more page.  But as soon as we sit down she gets out of my lap and darts for her toys.  It was totally a strategic strategy to get back to her toys.  So I had to say "no toys or playing right now, it's time for bed.  Do you want the Dora book?"  and she didn't seem interested in the book.  So, I put her to bed and she said "nigh, nigh Brittani".  She's a cute and funny little one. :)

Can I get a "woot woot" and a "hey, hey"?

Hey my fearless readers!!! :)  My day today went pretty well...I babysat and the little girl I watch acted up again today by kicking and hitting me a lot when she had to take a nap.  Seriously don't know what her problem is...I even handled the situation like my normal (professional babysitter) self and she still kept at the kicking & hitting.  Just weird to me...I really haven't had a kid do this continually.  But then again, she gives me attitude pretty much all the time anyway (even if she's well rested).  After babysitting, I fought another battle to get to the nursing school info session...that's right, I drove on the 55 & 91 freeways during rush hour to get to Cal Baptist University (CBU).  I made it just about 5 minutes late to the info meeting, but I am so glad I went.  I feel that CBU is such a fabulous, wonderful, fantastic and beautiful school!  The nursing faculty/staff were amazing and I stayed to also get a tour of the "skills lab", which is basically a fully simulated hospital floor for nursing students.  It's state of the art!  And they described the nursing theory that they teach by, and I am impressed.  All this with a school that has a Christian foundation.  Then, I made sure to introduce myself to the admissions counselor I've been in contact with for about a year and a half and she remembered me and took my application.  I asked her what is the liklihood that I'd get into the pre-nursing program and she said I would probably get in, and if not they would work with me to help me take a few classes elsewhere and then start the program.  I feel like looking at private schools that have the option to finish pre-req's there is something I'm going to pursue at a few more schools while I am also trying to get into junior college classes.  But, according to the counselors my theory is right about the system...right now community colleges are suffering from budget cuts and they aren't able to have enough classes for all the students wanting/needing to take the classes and and CBU (and other private schools) they are able to increase the number of classes available for a course based on how many students there are to enroll.  It may just be my entry-way into an MSN.  We'll see...I should know if I can start the pre-nursing program for this summer in just 2 or 3 weeks because CBU has rolling admissions!  Would you all join me in continuing to pray about my application there, as well as my pursuing nursing school?  xoxo

p.s....tell me what you think about my new blog design.  would love to know!
p.s.s.  ... I think I've found a place to live w/ a dear, dear friend of mine.  woo hoo!
p.s.s.s. ....someone please tell me they know where I got the "can I get a 'woot woot' and a 'hey hey' "...please!  :)

I'm on my way to yonder...

A song by the very talented Drew Bray played on my iPod in my car today called "yonder"...part of the lyrics are "I'm on my way to yonder". I kind of feel like that, but in a cool way...like tomorrow, my "yonder" is California Baptist University (CBU)...with the hopes that my application will make it through and I'll get accepted to the pre-nursing program...which would be a yonder to maybe getting into the actual Masters of Science in Nursing program. But really, my interpretation and heart for the "yonder" is where God would have me! And that's really exciting! I have had soooo much joy this week it is amazing, beautiful, lovely and basically an answered prayer! God is so good!!!!! I think that tomorrow I will be posting a "funny things kids say post", as well as a recap of how the informational meeting/application turning in/visiting CBU went. Should be good

Plan A: Prayer, Plan B: Prayer (you India people know what this means :)

It's been a good week (I know it's only Monday, but I haven't written a blog in a little over a week). Thing have been going well with living at my parents...I've done a good amount of babysitting that has gone well. I did get sick though; and I'm still sick...before my move I sort of had a cold that was almost gone and then there were a couple of long nights (w/ packing and babyistting) where I didn't get a lot of sleep which then caused me to sick again (or I am calling it being "re-sick") last Sunday when I moved. And now it's progressed this week, going from a cold where I didn't know my nose could have so much coming out of it, to now a hacking cough. So, I've knocked down the cold, and am currently taking something to help with my cough so hopefully it'll go away soon. And I've really been trying to rest. But considering some things going on I can't take too much time to do nothing. Which leads me to the knew news...or an update. I had the crazy idea that I'd love to take pre-req courses at a university so that I could be able to finish faster. This whole trying to take junior college classes just isn't working too well. Then, I started looking at correspondence with an admissions counselor at Cal Baptist (CB) and they actually have that available. I can be enrolled in the "pre-nursing" classes starting this summer. They are having a Masters in Nursing informational meeting this Thursday that I am going to attend an personally hand in my application in person to this admissions counselor. I'm excited, nervous, trying to be hopeful, but most of all really really really trying to be dependent and reliant on God. Years and years ago, when the whole nursing process started I've said in my heart "if this happens, it's going to be because of God and not of me". I want this to be something that reflects a calling on my life, but how God has made it come to fruition. So, my plan A and plan B is prayer, prayer and prayer.

prayer for:

• this whole nursing process, and my wisdom and seeking God through all of it
• that I would be able to get my application finished to the best of my ability, and that I would present myself with all my capabilities and experience
• that I would be able to get all my letters of recommendations to turn in for Thursday...they aren't full on letters, but more of a survey type format to fill out
• that doors would open for me to start the pre-nursing classes this summer at CB

That's all for now...thank you my prayer warriors! You are truly a blessing & I couldn't do this without your support or your prayers being heard. :)

The bright side of things on a rainy day :) (can also be titled "A Heart Change" or "This is my confession")

Confession time...I've been in a funky mood lately. Some of the kids I babysit for (in particular 2 unrelated kids) have been a lot to deal with...and I have let it get to me. And I'm moving, and I've let that get to me. That's really not like me. I'm the person who rallies others and is always seeing the sunny side of things and can compartmentalize so that things don't effect me. But I think after going to India this time, it's been harder. Anyway, today...on a rainy and gloomy day that wasn't a perfect day babysitting...I was listening to Switchfoot and it spoke to me and comforted my spirit and brought me joy. And I had a heart change...I was remembering how I've posted a good amount about the fun times I have with kids I watch and the funny things they say, and how I actually haven't done that in a long time. And not long before that I was thinking to myself how I don't see the bright side of things in moving in with my parents only to have to move again soon, and not getting into classes, and having some hardships babysitting. That's when the thought entered my head "Brittani, you are always the one who's positive and lists the pro's and always says 'It's not all bad' "... so here it goes

Pro's

• I love my family very much!!!!! And I will not think of the negative things that could happen (fights with them or being more confounded by living with them)...I haven't lived with them in six years and that's exciting!
• I am so fortunate to be able to have the ability to live with family and have more time to be able to pick a place to live
• I am going to be able to save more money...I'll be able to finish paying off the India trip (because I still have about $950 left to fundraise) and whatever I have on my credit card, and save up for a car
• I've had numerous people tell me that if I needed to I could crash at their home if I need to...love my group of friends
• God has provided so much in having people to help me move, staying at my current place an extra week, and so many other things

Now, for the funny kid stories!

• the three year old girl I watch (who is almost 4!) was with me and her mom when her mom was asking me about my living situation and if/where I was moving and I said I didn't have a place yet...and the 3 year old girl goes "Brittani, you can sleep on my bed and I can sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor by the bed". Melt my heart!
• I am already in love with the little boy I babysit for who recently came home to his U.S. family. He knows my name (from a girl named Britney at the orphanage he stayed at) and this week when I was babysitting for him he would run out of the room we were all in and run back in yelling "BRITTANI" and I would say his name in the excited way he did to mine. This lasted for a good 20 minutes until we had to get ready for bed and even after that he kept doing it. Then at bath time I actually put bubbles in his bath and he went crazy...and I'd put bubbles in my hands and blow them in his direction and he literally went hysterically laughing and flailing into the water...EVERY TIME!!! (and I purposely kept doing it for at least 5-10 minutes). His laugh is so contagious and adorable. And it's adorable how much his whole family loves him.
• while I was sitting a 5 year old boy and he wanted to watch the Lion King. It was at night and I knew it was okay for him to watch T.V.; as I was putting the DVD in, he starts talking about the movie and says "oh, yeah and the monkey baptizes Simba"...he was talking about the part when Rafiki puts the red dirt/paint on Simba after he's born. Too funny :)

Anyway, I am going to try even more to go to God with all these things(the good, the bad and the blah) and ask Him for joy, strength and perseverance!

A picture post (aka: more India pictures!)

Yesterday, I received all the pictures that people took on the India trip...here are some of my favorites that I haven't already posted :) Hope you enjoy then like I do!

























































This is when I was doing the drama. I was acting drunk...but I just really really love my new saree (teal w/ black polka dots)

A recap of my week

This has been a crazy week...really. It seems like this week has been long and I am trying to remember when the week actually started. Seriously. Well, I actually was fortunate enough to be at the airport when friends of mine and my family brought there son home from Haiti. It was quite the experience...first, my good friend Kristi (the photographer) came to the airport because it was mentioned that they would probably want to document the moment. Kristi was spending the weekend with girlfriends and they came with her because they agreed that it would be great opportunity for Kristi. It turned out that her friends knew the wife of the teaching pastor's wife at Rockharbor from many many years ago when they all worked at a different church together. Anyway, the father of the boy in Haiti decided to fly to Orlando on Friday literally on a hope and a prayer that their son would be able to leave Haiti after his caretakers in Haiti went to the U.S. Embassy every day that week to get an emergency Visa or Humanitarian Parole. And miraculously he got Humanitarian Parole and Friday and left with several other orphans on Friday night on a military jet to Orlando. All this time (since the earthquake) the family has had such an amazingly strong prayer support and had so many people helping and advocating for them. It was just an example of the power of prayer and how good God is! Anyway, then my little sister left to go back to college after Christmas break. And I looked at about 5-6 places to move into (because I found out I did not to chosen to move into the place in CM I was hoping to move into). I looked at several other places and there was one that I really like but it was in Fountain Valley...and after much deliberation I decided it would be best to stay in CM. So, the day I decided that I shouldn't move to Fountain Valley (and was sort of stressing) I got an email from a friend who has a friend that is moving and needing to find someone to take her room. I called this friend of a friend and was able to look at the place..however it isn't available until this next weekend. So, I talked about my options with my dad (I love him!). He and I thought I'd see if my current roommates had anyone to occupy my room, and if they didn't to stay for an extra week and keep trying to look for places. They haven't found anyone and we compromised on a price for me to pay for rent for a week. So now I don't have to move to my parents (yet) and then to a new place in a matter of a week. God is sooooo good! Anyway, the place I looked at that was a referral actually has been the absolute best so far and I would be stoked to move in there (awesome location, amazing price, cute place and the girls seem pretty awesome too)!!! If you could all be praying about their decision to have me live there. I feel like the meeting with them went well but they also said they were going to meet with a few other girls and woudl decide on Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. I just kind of don't want to look for places anymore because there aren't a whole lot on the RH classifieds that are in my league. But, I am also checking my heart and reminding myself that no matter what God will take care of me. I will always have somewhere to stay.
Anyway...that was a little diversion. This week I've also been able to babysit for the little boy who just came home from Haiti to be with his new family. He is such a sweetheart. And seems to be adjusting fairly well with all things considering...one of the craziest parts is that he left Haiti in such a hurry that he and his caretakers were fully done with preparing him for being with his new family (so he doesn't know much English at all, they never transitioned to a new English name and many other things). But he is doing well, is very smiley and his brother and sisters adore him. I've also done A LOT of babysitting this week! And I've gotten sick with a cold/cough.
But I'm going to get to bed early tonight because I have another busy week of babysitting and trying to get into a class I couldn't register for at OCC. So, if you guys could be praying for classes and that specific place I'd love to live in. Much love!

Brit

The India trip

This is the post about my India trip...it's kind of in bullet/stream of conscious form. (note: it's not a short post...that's all I will say. But please remember this is about my 2 weeks in India) :) I hope it makes sense to y'all. If you'd like to hear more feel free to comment

• our flight from LAX to London was delayed by 3 or 4 hours. But we still decided to get there 3 hours before our normal scheduled flight time. Amazingly, British Airways was able to put all 32 of us on a different flight to London that was leaving at our normal time! Needless to say this allowed for more time in London. Loved it!
• a woman, Tracy, on the team needed some pretty important heart and blood thickening medication at home and realized at LAX when we were close to boarding the plane. Needless to say the plan was to try to get a pharmacy/doctor in London to refill her prescription if her doctor in the US faxed over the prescription...one of the other leaders took her to the hospital (because that was the most logical place to take her, even though nothing was wrong...we just didn't know what other options we had a 6pm once we got there). They didn't ask for insurance info or her name in the ER, they just looked at the doctors fax and asked her how long she'd need the doses for. All this at no charge!
• there were some political things happening in Hyderabad, India. This is the big city we flew into. But we were kept safe, and had an awesome driver who new the best ways to get us to Tenali. And it only took about 10 hours to drive there :) (and just in case you were counting, that was a 10 hour flight to London, then a 9 hour flight to India and then a 10 hour bus drive in India)
• it was awesome to do an HIV/AIDS camp first thing...so humbling and I was reminded that a majority (if not almost all) of the people who came to the HIV/AIDS camp were Christians. And yet Harvest India serves then and gives them food and clothing at least once a month.
• the warmest greetings we ever get in India would be when we arrive at the orphanage. Such high spirited, beautiful and brilliant kids! It brings tears to my eyes every time I go! I love them so much. And I got to see the adorable little 3 year old boy (who may be 4 now) I fell in love with at the Rockharbor (RH) orphanage.
  
• I was absolutely THRILLED that all three of Suresh & Christina's children were able to be there together for a whole week. I got to see Mercy perform a beautiful Indian dance for us (while 3 year old Nancy stood close by mimicking her dance). And David is already 14 and such a man of God and such a helpful and sweet young man; he's full of knowledge and wisdom and funny too. Great to just hang around with...he and my little bro would get along smashingly (oh geez, I think London has rubbed off on me)
  
• I got very few bug bites during the whole trip! And they were confined to my feet...so thankful!
• during the whole trip I had extremely, extremely minimal feelings of sickness. I was so thankful for this because during the course of the trip (literally) half of our team was sick. Because of this I was able to help take care of the sickies and bring them back to health...which leads me to
• I offered/was asked to stay overnight at Suresh's when 3 girls on our team were really very sick at the same time. They were throwing up (and had diarrhea) and were very dehydrated. At one point (before I was spending the night) one of the girls fainted two times. Then as I was getting ready to stay at Suresh's, a guy on our team got really sick and stayed at Suresh's too. Anyway, I was helping the doctor out with the females and he needed to give them a shot in their buttocks; and (oddly...at least to me) he asked me to pull their pants down. Perhaps it's a cultural thing where it's a little too personal and inappropriate to do that to a lady. Well, when the doctor came into the room almost right away I noticed how he had cotton in his ears. I just figured he's a doctor so maybe he but some medicinal drops in his ears or something...who knows. But then, after he asked me to pull the 1st girls drawers down, and gives them a vitamin shot...he puts cotton on the injection site to cover it and apply pressure, and the cotton came out of nowhere to me. Then I remembered about the cotton in his ears and thought "oh, so that's what it's for". Only in India...and I haven't told those girls that story...but I did tell other team members :) A few days later I was doing the same thing and he used newspaper to cover & apply pressure...again I say, "only in India"...anyway, the rest of the night I made sure they drank electolite water, and ate crackers (but only in very very small portions) and in the morning they were doing significantly better.
  
• With that said, I didn't get a full nights sleep every night. And even though most days we had down time at the hotel before dinner I was usually busy and couldn't nap. However, God kept me tired only when I was not doing ministry. When we were out and about or required to do be doing something somehow I wasn't tired anymore. But then right afterwards, I'd be dead tired and fall asleep on the busy/crazy car ride back to the hotel. :)
  
• spending New Years with the RH orphans was such a treat and delight. I've told a little of that story about the bread that was overflowing and having 7-8 middle school girls hugging me as we watched home-made fireworks on the orphanage campus. And we talked a good amount because they knew English...and one of them asked me if I was a housewife...I kid you not, those exact words.
• it was extremely cool and such a blessing to be playing one of 2 main characters in the skit we did for the night outreaches. So impact full and powerful. It reminded me of when I've done some acting before and that I do like it. I seriously was nervous beforehand, but once the skit and music started I really got into my character and somehow was really focused on it...and I think it went really well both nights we performed :)
  
• we did a flood relief camp at a village one day where 1,000 people came (on behalf of their family) to receive food, clothing and kitchen supplies. Honestly, it was total chaos. I use the phrase "India chaos" because there are so many people in a small space, and people are not organized in any manor. But, we tried our best to assemble all the care packages and hand them out. For a while we had problems separating bowls that we were suppose to pass out. They were metal bowls that were packaged in bulk and we only gave one to each family. And let me tell you, these bowls did not want to come apart. Everyone who tried would end up getting a finger (or figers) cut because they had a metal edge. Then, the thing that worked was having two guys (including the local village men) on each side of the clumped and stuck together bowls and pull really really hard. Even then it was difficult, and it would only separate the 20 bowls into two sets of 10 (or what have you) and they'd have to separate those too. :) The beauty of teamwork, cross-cultural bonding.
• our first Friday, New Years Day, we got to go to a church service in the biggest church that I've seen in India. Probably a good 600-800 people. Anyway, we performed songs for them and gave a sermon. Then they presented a "New Years cake"...because New Years is actually quite important, meaningful and symbolic to Indians. However, they served us by asking kids to come up and feed us cake with their hands. Again, this created some of the infamous "India choas". And the whole time I was thinking, oh gosh, these kids haven't washed their hands in how long. And it's too late for me now to get my hand sanitizer so I could offer to take the pieces of cake from them to eat myself, but using hand sanitizer and not getting fed by them would be extremely rude. I literally said a prayer "Lord, please keep me healthy from any germs" as the first kid came up to me and in slow motion stuffed my face with cake. Then 9 other kids followed in line giving me tons of cake. Towards the end my mouth was literally stuffed and I had to take pieces of cake in my hands because otherwise they would not leave until I got more cake. But then I remembered that when we were greeted and walked into the church, I shook tons of peoples hands and still had not used hand sanitizer...so my hands were really germy too! But, on the plus side, the cake tasted good (and I tried to stay focused on that :)
• during that New Years church service there was this 2-3 year old Indian boy who was dressed in khakis and this metallic blue shirt and he had nail polish on (which, a number of boys did). He would follow me and a couple other team members around on stage during times we weren't doing the service. It was funny. And Kjerstine had an admirer...a young Indian man (probably about 20 years old or so) who had designer glasses on and hair kind of like the middle Jonas brothers...I thought he was cute :) He kept staring at her the whole time we were there, and even made sure that he fed her a piece of cake (in her defense though he fed me one as well, but I think we were the only ones)...but I told her, hey he's obviously a member of the congregation so he's Christian :)
• one evening the women of the team got to have dinner with the women of the Ashraya House. The Ashraya House is a home for women who were formerly in prostitution and they've gotten out of it or Harvest India has paid (their pimp) to get them out of prostitution; once they are in the house they learn how to sew purses and pajamas for a living. Anyway, the women were really shy to tell any of their stories (which, Suresh has told us before that in India the past is not dwelled on/talked about...especially if it's a difficult one). But, two women on our team who have very difficult stories to tell that relate very well to the Ashraya women mustered up the courage and told their stories. After that, six women living in the Ashraya House got up to tell there stories. We were all crying together and also recognizing how good our God is. Then we had dinner together and the women drew henna on us and we painted nails. Such a bonding experience. I sat with an Indian woman who was 26. She had polio and was on crutches and one of her feet were noticeable paralyzed/limp and actually was at a slight angle. I had Suresh's son David translate so I could talk to her and she told me that she is 26 and has a 14 year old daughter who is now married. And I was able to have David tell her that I am going to be praying for her and her daughter and that even though she can't use her leg I am so glad that she can still walk using crutches...I mean what else do I say to this beautiful woman who has had a rough life? And she's only 4 years older than me...
• we went to the Red-Light district one day. It was actually the same place that I visited last March. Craig pointed out this heavier set woman and said he remembers her for years and she's the pimp. And I also remembered a tall and skinny younger man there and Craig said he was probably the "vice pimp" or something to that effect (I made the "vice pimp" title up myself). But the service we held was powerful...2 women on our team told stories about their past that were also very relatable to the women there. At the end of the service when we passed out saree's to the women the main pimp (the female) was bossing the other women around telling them who would go next in line. And it was sad...their spirits just seemed so empty and sad and hopeless and hardened. But I continue to pray for them! And am thankful that Harvest India has a church there and they go back frequently to help the women there...and I know God is not finished working in the Red-Light District and in those women's hearts and lives
  
• on a Sunday during our stay, we broke into 3 separate teams to attend churches at 3 different villages. The church I went to was small, but man was it packed. The people there seriously seemed like an Acts community. And the pastor of the church asked us to come into his home after the service. There we met his mom, wife and 2 kids. He told us about how his dad was a pastor and was passed away (there was a picture of him hanging in their hut) and how his mom is such a prayer warrior for their church. He just seemed enfuego for God. I also enjoyed this experience because our teams were different and I was able to spend more time with other people on our team that weren't always on my team.
  
• on our bus ride back to Hyderabad, we got a flat tire. But miraculously it was fixed in a matter of 15-20 minutes. About 8-10 guys from our team and Suresh's Harvest India staff and the bus driver got out of the bus and figured things out... while the women stayed in the bus. It was one of those guy moments were I felt like they should have gone "arr, arr, arr" like Tim "the toolman" Taylor after they fixed it. It's a guy thing I guess. Just get out there and do something manly.
  
• also on the bus ride, my roomie Kjerstine got pretty anxious and unsettled/restless. My first thought was "she needs to listen to Jon Foreman"...so I told her I had his amazing CD on my iPod and I'd love for her to hear it...she fell asleep for the next 4 hours and was peaceful :)
• obviously, you all know that we had travel problems because of the blizzards in Europe (and around the world for that matter). But I was amazed at how it allowed for more time to process and rest and be together as a team. And God provided so amazingly. We found out at 1pm on Sunday the 10th that we all had tickets and the 1st group to leave was at 9pm that night. And at one point Dennie didn't have a ticket, but somehow Heather M. was able to get Dennie on with the last group leaving India.
• I remember that Saturday when Suresh & Christina left Hyderabad to go back home. We were all sad to see them go and I saw Christina wipe tears from her face. And I was the last to hold Nancy before Suresh took her;when Suresh went to take her from me, Nancy arched her back and locked up...that cheecky girl. She didn't wanna leave us. Love you Nancy!!!!!!
• I'll always remember the giggly conversations in our room at the Goutham with Kjerstine, Melanie & Christine.
  
• I'll always remember taking Melissa to the airport "hospital" our last day in Hyderabad...and then taking care of her at the airports traveling home...thanks Melissa for the upgrade :) And I'm glad that your foot is finally getting better!!!!!
• sharing a room with Chrissie at the Novetel was so fun! Memories of a Bon Jovi concert playing on the India TV...working out at the hotel gym...our beds being so squished together :)
  

So much to do, and so little time! :)

Again, I feel the need to start out a post with a sorry because I haven't been able to finish a post about India. I will say that this week has not been the easiest week for me to get blogging done because I got sick (as in throwing up several times) after eating sushi earlier in the week. And it wasn't like a "okay, I've thrown up once or twice and now I feel so much better"...rather, I threw up maybe two times but the feeling of nuasia and a headache lingered for more than a day after I stopped throwing up. I didn't eat anything except a few french fries during that day because that was one of the only things that didn't make me feel like throwing up by thinking about it. But thankfully, I'm better now. And I have vowed never to eat sushi again...EVER! Because, literally, the only other time I've eaten sushi in my life I have gotten sick as well. I'm going to stick to Mexican food, chicken sandwiches/cheeseburgers/turkey burgers & fries, Chinese food, Italian food, and sandwiches. Sorry sushi, you didn't make my cut. Another thing that has been on my plate lately is having to move in 10 days and I have not found a place to live yet. Yep, that's right. I'm hoping that moving out will work out smoothly for me and I'll be able to find a place for all my junk...I mean stuff. If you could also be praying for work for me. I need some more babysitting jobs, ASAP (especially with having to move too). Well, I am promising that I will finalize a post about India tomorrow!

This blog post would make for my 3rd one in three days. I think that may be a record in my book on "brittani nichole's blog". I have wonderful news about the friends that I mentioned in my blog a few days ago. All three family members (the wife, the three year old son & the 9 month old baby girl) are all safe. And on Friday night, the wife and the 9 month old landed back home in California after surviving the earthquake in Haiti, and being stuck in Haiti for several days after the earthquake. However, (and extremely sadly) by law they were not able to bring their 3 year old son who they were in the final few months of adopting. And now the building in Haiti that their paperwork was held did not withstand the earthquake and they don't know when and if their files will ever be recovered. So, they are campaigning for something called Humanitarian Parole to be able to adopt their son, and also be able to get the other children in Haiti who have families that were in the adoption process that is now halted because of the earthquake. They've been interviewed on CNN, ABC, FOX News, and CBS. I had the blessing and privilege to be at their house watching their kids for 3 out of the 4 interviews and I am truly amazed at the love they have for their son, and how deeply they care for him and all the sweet children in Haiti waiting to be adopted but the process is now at a standstill. This was already such an emotional & difficult journey, and now it is even more-so. They are also needing so much help advocating for their son and other orphans in Haiti. This would be something as simple as writing an email or letter to your local congressmen. They have already explained all the many things that everyone can do to help! So here's a like to the blog post about it "Operation Get Him Home" . And, after you read that post visit their home page and Kristen (the wife/mama) has posted her experience about the earthquake & at least one of their interviews at this point. Thank y'all and I am almost done writing the India post! Promise!

more pictures! yay!!!!

The 1st picture is me sharing scripture before we passed out food to a very poor village in India. I shared about how the "good Samaritan" helped the man who was hurt...and how Jesus said "it's the sick who need a doctor". And I told them we are their neighbors from America (because in the good Samaritan story Jesus said to "love thy neighbor". I know it sounds cheesy but I wanted to show we care and that we are connected. Then a picture of the whole team (32 of us). And orphans doing crafts at VBS. Hena (and yes, that's my hand...I know it's so difficult to tell whether or not it's an Indian womans hand...haha :) The orphans in their uniforms. The elderly women. Passing out food to the poor. And also me blessing a clean water well before I cut the ribbon off. ;)

ok, ok...here it is!!!

Here are some pictures from the India trip...still in process of writing a wonderful and lovely post about the rest of the trip...and I promise my mind hasn't faded and I haven't forgotten the details about the trip...so please don't bail on me once you've just checked out the photos :) xoxo









The picture on the left are 2 boys from a village where we dedicated a clean water well. And on the right is a Harvest India orphan & me walking into the main part of Tenali (note:almost none of these pics are cute of me, but hey, my flat iron broke while in India)













These are more boy from the village we dedicated a water well at. They wanted me to keep taking pictures of them :)
















This was our hotel while we stayed in Tenali...and this is a meal from a village were we did flood relief