Picture of the Week: Bests

It's difficult to say Lydia has a best friend...especially on a team with 8 girls all under the age of 7. And well, she's four. "Best" could mean whoever is into singing "Frozen" songs with her, who will share her toys or ice cream, or who has the best pool. Let's face it, four-year-olds don't really hide their friendship-standards. 

But if we had to say who her best friend is, I would say Lily. Lydia would say that too. 

And if there is anyone who is more different than Lydia, personality-wise, how she processes things, humor and interests...it might be Lily. These four-year-olds don't take ballet together anymore (soccer is more Lily's thing, while Lydia can't bear the thought of running around and possibly bumping into other people!), but Lily is willing to dress up and dance around the house with Lydia. Lydia is also considering the career path of "swim animal doctor" (Lily's future profession) just so they can go to college together.

And no, not everything is a metaphor, but these two remind me of their mommies. Maggie and I are just about as different in our personalities, our processing and interests...yet we give each other grace. OK, mostly Maggie gives....but here's the thing about true grace and true friendship: it's beautiful. It's not just letting the other person be different. It's not just tolerating. It's loving each other and being sharpened. 

So, let's just say these little gals give each other grace, they love each other and if there is some giggling under the table...it's probably Lily and Lydia pretending they are princess zoo-keepers hiding from sea monsters. 

Picture of the Week: She Came in through the Bathroom Window

Two nights ago, Brian and I brutally (and gleefully) killed 6 mosquitoes hanging out in our apartment. 

Since moving here we have acquired Mr. Miagi swat reflexes, a bug-zapper racket (best Father's Day present ever!) and a joyful vengeance for mosquito-death. 

We do not have A/C so we keep our windows open. Yes, we have screens. But then there's the bathroom window situation. And honestly, it kinda hurts my heart to show this picture here. This is a freshly-cleaned (yes) window-vent in our bathroom. [When my mom visited here her need-to-clean instincts drove her to scrub this vent...scrub with no avail...it just always looks dirty. That's how many things are here.] There is no way to seal these completely. I mean, I guess duct-tape could work, but then...you have no vent. 

On the other side of those grimy slates is a large tunnel-like vent shared by all in the building. Where does it vent? The parking garage of course! And in that parking garage is a little canal of standing water. Standing water + tropical climate = little hatching dengue-fever-carrying mosquitoes just looking for a vertical tunnel, unsealed vents and dinner. 

So, here's to nightly mosquito-hunts, racket in hand and vengeance in our hearts! 

  

Picture of the Week: Beautiful

Brian really doesn't like it when I use all the "good pictures" on the blog and leave no unseen ones for our monthly update (which is due out any day now). Sorry, sweetie. I just had to post this.

Isn't she beautiful? She is in love with dresses and lip gloss. Her preferred hair style is this two braid thing that I can't do so well...but she loves it because she has no other hair stylist as of yet. This girl though is truly beautiful when she smiles. Here she is riding a horse confidently and joyfully,...and well, just look at her. 

Picture of the Week: Save your butter for pancakes.

Here's the setup: 
That morning we had visited a park outside the city. Just like every park here it had a few idols and temples. The main one was a bull statue. Morning worshipers had covered it with ghee (purified butter) and then stuck money to it. Lydia and I talked about what a waste of butter that was. 
Also important to the story: 
We have this pair of magnetic dress up dolls from my dad. Their names are Abby and Emma. Frequently (and I do mean frequently) Lydia and I play with them. We are usually Abby and Emma's moms and they have playdates, go to the park, etc. Mostly, it involves changing their outfits. On this particular occasion I am Abby's mom and Lydia is Emma's. They are having a lovely playdate.  

And the story: 
Emma [played by Lydia]: Would you like to come to church with us?
Abby [played by me]: No. We can't. Our family worships pigeons. 
Emma's Mom [also played by Lydia]: No!! You can't do that. Jesus is the real God. 
Abby's Mom [me]: What?! That's not true. We worship a pigeon statue and put butter on it. It's great. 
EM: Don't do that. Save your butter for pancakes. Come, worship Jesus.
AM: Why?
EM: Well, He loves you and cares for you. He's really powerful. And you don't have to put butter on Him.
[by now I have caught on that this is a fantastic teaching moment and I am playing along seeing what Lydia knows...it's amazing]
AM: oh, well that sounds nice but aren't my pigeons gods?
EM: No. Pigeons are not gods. They are birds. God made them. 
AM: So, I can come to your church and learn about Jesus?
EM: Yes, there is a sermon, singing songs and sometimes there is kids' time. We have chai and samosas too. 
AM: Really?
EM: Yes, and if you believe in Jesus you get to go to Heaven.
AM: Heaven? What's that like?
EM: It has shiny streets and lots of food that God makes...only good food. 
AM: Is there butter?
EM: Yes, but we can eat it. And Jesus is there and He can snuggle you. But you have to wait till you die.
AM: Oh, so when I die I can go to heaven?
EM: Yep. Or Hell. That's for pretend-god-believers. 
AM: What's that like?
EM: It's sad. The sun goes down there. It's very dark and sad. 
AM: Wow. Well, Heaven and Jesus sound a lot better. Can I come to church with you?
EM: Sure! 
AM: What am I gonna do with all this butter though?
EM: Let's make pancakes!