Changed Forever

I am back from India and don't even know where to start describing my experience. I loved it. My heart completely broke for the children and people of India - what beautiful people. If I could go back tomorrow, I would. If I could have stayed, I would. Varanasi was not an easy place to be, but the joy in sharing a smile or giving a child the first hug he has probably ever received is indescribable and worth everything to me.

There are so many stories that I would love to share. Sweet Eric has been the best listener in the world the last 3 days...I think he is beginning to wonder whether anything will ever be on my mind again. You know what? I hope not. I know I have to fit back into routine to get work done and I certainly don't want to forsake precious relationships I have here in Greensboro, but my prayer is that India remains fresh in my mind as long as it takes for me to go back.

This is a typical "house" that some of the kids we worked with come from. The boys I am with in the picture above are orphans, don't have a home; they live at the railroad stations.

Traffic was WILD - a riot!! So glad I didn't have to do any of the driving! It was hilarious.... :)

INDIA Trip!

I leave tomorrow morning - ahh! Exciting. Thank you ALL for your prayers, support, and encouragement as I embark on this adventure for the next two weeks! I am just so humbled by the opportunity and am pinching myself that I will be there in 36 hours (24 of those hours will be travel...one of our flight legs is 15 hrs long - sheesh!)

We have a team blog that one of our team members will be updating as often as internet, time, electricity, etc allows. :) You can follow me making sure I am surviving the heat, the bugs, the food, the bathrooms, oh the butterflies I get thinking about what lies ahead! :) What I am most looking forward to is loving on those sweet children with lives that have been so tough I can't even imagine. http://railkids09.blogspot.com/

Also, there should be a prayer calendar on our blog which is based on our itinerary...thank you so much for your prayers!!!

Owen Joshua Has Arrived!!

I have a brand new NEPHEW!!!! :) He came into the world 7 weeks early - all ready to catch up to his big sisters! Meagan went into labor Sat. night, but being the tough cookie that she is, waited until Sun. morning to call the hospital...they told her to come in immediately!! So, Uncle Eric, Aunt Bets and Uncle Chris hung out with Molly & Annie all day while the Dr's tried to stop labor. They thought they had it under control, but "Daddy Jr." (what Josh/Meg and girls have nicknamed him) wasn't going to be stopped! By Mon. morning, it was clear that a C-section was needed, so out he came! 4 lbs 12 oz - he is TINY and beautiful. He will be in the NICU for a few weeks until he gains a little weight, can hold his own temp., and is eating and gaining on his own (currently on IV). Already he has strong enough lungs to be taken off his ventilator, so that is wonderful!
I am so humbled by the MIRACLE that a new baby is; it is so neat to be here to witness that! I will try to get some pics and post them soon!!

**UPDATE: His name is Owen Joshua Adams - sweet, huh? Owen's meaning is "young warrior" - I just love its significance with him being a preemie!