Monday, June 29, 2009

Im there, Im laughing in my sleep...

Back in January I wrote a blog about Conner laughing his little heart out in his sleep. It literally was music to my ears. I wrote then that “My wish is to be this happy. To hold my stomach laughing even while I’m fast asleep”. Its been a long time since I wrote that blog and I’ve had a lot of searching to do since that point. I’ve had to make some major changes to my world and ive worked really hard on certain areas, heck Ive even had to travel half way around the world just to find my place at home. The good news is it worked; im there. Every night my CSer teases me that I wake him in the middle of the night due to my constant laughter. I can’t even explain how happy that made me to hear. What I do know is that I feel it in my spirit, not even just on these travels but before then too, I am lifting and I am at peace with where I am at. AND…..I laugh in my sleep!

Ireland is wonderful, I don’t really have time to update right now but I will in a few days. This is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever stepped foot in. Every time I blink I open my eyes to something new and something more beautiful. Come…all of you!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Farewell London, Its been fun!

There is an artist that I love (Banksy) who had an exhibit this month in London. I found out last minute and was really excited to go check out his work but realized it was about four hours away from where Im staying. Instead I decided to go check out the typical London sites since my time was almost up, it only took a few hours for me to regret my decision. Dont get me wrong, I loved seeing all the typical touristy things but I felt like I was doing it more out of obligation since I was a new visitor to London. Dino took me around for the afternoon and we really enjoyed ourselves but many times through the day I thought to myself, ug 100 pieces – how could I not be there! I hate it when I do that to myself, I did it in Mexico too. Anyway, today was a little different. There were still sights left unseen but I woke up feeling no desire to see the rest so I took off for a day on my own.
Today was lovely. I slept in a bit, then headed into London to check out a few markets. I love markets, I love the junk that is sold in them, I love the vibe, I love the people that go. I bought myself my first bag of cherries this summer and walked around the market perusing on my own. After a few hours I went back into downtown to meander around and accidently found myself buying a tinnnny bit of clothes (this backpacking gig just isn’t for me). It was a really great afternoon. This evening I joined some friends that I met at Hillsong for their small group. It was a really great evening of making new friends, sharing our views, and of course having strangers pray for me (Priscilla your kind prayers made me cry just a touch). It ended up being quite a late evening but I still wanted to make time for my blog since I don’t know what I will have for internet in Ireland. Anyway, I am glad for today, my heart needed it.
Coming to London has been a lot of fun but it has actually been quite difficult as well. My world was so different in India and I have not even begun to absorb that trip and then was plopped into a completely different world. I was definitely in a bit of a shock. I cant really explain it anymore but it was a fairly emotionally draining few days for me and actually made me a bit lonely. I think today helped heal but I am excited to head to Ireland now and see what that journey has in store for me.
One of the best parts of my travels so far is how much time Ive got to spend with myself. I missed me. At home life gets so busy that I rarely make time for myself. I feel like before I left I was not spending nearly as much time as I need too taking care of me, talking to me, being friends with me. Like many relationships in life, I let the busy world eat me up and did not put in nearly as much effort that was needed on me. With this trip I have spent so much time with me again and I have loved it. I am beautiful. Seriously, there are times where I catch a thought or a prayer and I think, man Jenelle you have grown, you are so lovely to be around. I am happy to be in that place again, im sure many things, feelings, hopes, will go back to normal when I get home but one thing I will hold on too is the relationship I have built with myself.
London was fun and a place I would like to come back to visit. I had great hosts, I met some really wonderful new people and I saw a country that was so beautiful (and perfectly old). The land here is so gorgeous and I will miss not having coffee while looking at such beautiful scenery and buildings. I am however really excited for Ireland, cause I know I will just love it there! Ill try and update you (well my blog) along the way. Thanks again for all the emails and love that has been sent my way, there were a few of you that came at just the right time and it means so very much to me.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Goodbye India, Hello London!


India was amazing। I was blessed to travel much of the Northern side and did some amazing things along the way। I camped in the Himalayan Mountains, I rode an elephant, I saw the greatest wonder of the world, I took a train across much of the country, I truly did experience the culture in a very sincere way, my list could go on forever. Some of my most favourite memories however are the people I met along the way. I worked with a group of slum kids and had the time of my life. I made heart connections that I will carry forever and was so very much blessed by those beautiful children. When I looked at their situations and travelled into their “homes” I must admit that a part of me thought, seriously God what kind of sick game is this? But when I got to know them I learnt very quickly that their lives, however hard they are have it, provided them with such a unique and beautiful way of looking at the world and the people in it. I suppose it is a fairly big trade off and although there were times when I saw pain in their eyes, I have never in my life met children so happy, full of love, and passionate.
To sum up India in this blog or even attempt too would be absolutely silly but my point is I loved my journey through that beautiful land and it was very difficult to say goodbye as I temporarily walked away from that world. As hard as it was to say goodbye to India it was very exciting to welcome myself to London. My flight was early which meant I had a full day to spend on my own venturing around. I took the underground downtown and made my way to an internet cafe to update my Mommy as to where I was (I am most definitely my Moms most faithful daughter – wink wink). After ठाट, exhaustion hit and I went and found a park to put down my bags and catch a little shut eye. My eyes lit up when I wandered back and saw Subway so I went in for my first “home” meal and met a lovely guy to share lunch and stories with then stole the floor of their bathroom to freshen my dirty self up and start looking presentable for HILLSONG.
I was so grateful to make it back in time to go to the Hillsong service. Actually I was quite bummed before leaving Canada that I would not be able to go but “coincidentally” I made it just in time and it was fabulous. When I sat in that service I wanted to live in London instantly and have that as my church community every week. I have not had an actual church service in about a month now so I was quite thirsty for one and it was just so powerful to sit in a room with a couple thousand people my age just as in love with God as myself. Ahhh I loved it. I also meet a really great group of people there and I am really looking forward to later in the week as they have invited me to their small group and to discover a bit of their London.
Anyway London has been great. It is so beautiful here. Salvatore and Dino have been absolutely wonderful to me and have already taken me out to Windsor to snoop around there at that measly little second home of the Queens. Everything here is so green and luscious. Today I spent a lot of time in an older area of the suburbs where some of the buildings and homes are 700 years old; I was in my glory. Oh and did I mention it is only 20 degrees here, which has been such a gift since the temperature in India averaged anywhere from 43-48 every day.
So yes my travels here have already been great. The only issue I had was my backpack, I had a little brain fart and packed my bag normally when I left Delhi (keep in mind I had stayed up all evening and did not get any sleep) so when I landed in London I threw on my bag and thought that it was crazy heavy. Sure enough when I opened it up I used this bag to bring home my three books, two bibles and a few other heavier items. I love them all too much to give up so it looks like ill be lugging around many many extra pounds these next few weeks. Oh and I forgot to pack t-shirts, I have the one that I was wearing on the plane and that is it; I suppose though that London wouldn’t be the worst place to have to go shopping!
I am desperately tired right now so I’m not sure if this blog even makes sense and I suppose it is time for bed. I will try to attach along a few photos soon! Lots of love from London...

Blessings


Written June 17th, २००९
A few weeks before leaving my Dad took my sister and I to a hockey game. There was a middle aged man sitting a row ahead of us and soaking in the game. He was so giddy and happy to be there. He took pictures of everything, the players, the jumbo-tron, himself; he couldn’t get enough of the game. I remember sitting there thinking, where did that go for me, how did I get so used to having it all?
I had one friend write me and she said “many of my friends travel to all corners of the world and enjoy it but anyone I’ve known that goes to India comes back a little different, I’m excited to know what your change has been”. I still don’t think I am in the position to process what my “changes” have been since I’ve arrived but I am beginning to see it in certain things and I believe one of those areas is being reignited with an even more grateful heart.
I am so giddy here, every piece of India I am soaking in. I am sick and exhausted and I feel like I could sleep for days on end yet I cannot afford to rest here because I love it too much and I want to venture into every little corner this beautiful country has to offer. I am so glad that I can look around this place and see the beauty in it. I am thankful that there are so many times through the day that I could not even begin to count when I stop to think to myself how lucky I am. Not many people get to travel the world the way I have, not many people have the joy of experiencing other ways of life; how wonderful do I have it?
So yes, I have had many changes in India some personal and some I will blog about when my mind and my heart can finally absorb my world in this past little while but the one that seems very pertinent right now is my grateful heart and I am so so thankful that I have walked through each and every day here knowing that I have been blessed beyond measure.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Pictures








कांत गेट एनौघ!!

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” Matthew 6:21 The Msg

My treasures have been bountiful in the past two weeks. This trip has lifted me so high. India itself has been amazing for me and the blessings we have been able to provide have definitely brought back a certain twinkle to my eye. The work that is happening in my soul though is immeasurable, my heart is singing here!

Currently I am driving to Jaipur in the back of a bus (way in the back, like where the luggage is stored however that is more by choice so I can have a bit of time on my own to journal and enjoy my own thoughts). Last night we traveled from Deahradun to Delhi on an overnight sleeper train then we were picked up by our bus (at 4:00am) and went from Delhi to Agra. The train was quite an experience to say the least. There are six beds stacked three high on each side then two more beds at your feet. They are just pull down plastic cloth things and as you crawl into them you definitely wonder how the small chains will possibly hold you up for the whole evening through all the twists and turns. Kaleb, Brittney, and I were in one section with Kaleb on the bottom (oh so manly while protecting the “girls”) and Brit and I were on the very top across from one another. Kaleb and I were on the same side with another gentleman in the middle bed between us. This man had a whooping, disgusting, loud, horrifying cough (to say the least) and he continued to hack up half his lung and hork it into a cup for the entire four hour train ride. Needless to say I could not sleep. I had my face buried in my sheets just praying that I would not get a quarter of whatever the heck sickness he was dealing with. Rather than sleep I entertained my evening by envisioning my mother sleeping across the bed from me. Mom, you would have been freaking out doing your scared-laughing-crazy thing, haha, you amused me all night. I wish I could convince you and Dad to come here eventually but I know it is pushing you a touch far.

The MK camp is officially over. It was fabulous! It placed so many desires on my heart that I did not think I was even interested in originally, and I am really looking forward to where that will lead me. I would love to update everyone on every detail of the camp but it would be best to hold out another week. What I will say is it was an absolutely gorgeous location with children that were a beautiful riot. I am very grateful to have been a part of the camp and to be introduced to a world that is all encompassing.

Oh a quick update on the food. It is still just as fabulous and I have been enjoying every single meal ive had but when I leave I am purging every carb from my body. Whoever the lucky person was that said they lost weight in India has essentially won the lottery. It is straight carbs every single meal and snack we have had. Its is great food but I am sick of all the breads and starting to hit panic mode when I walk into a restaurant. I will be hitting up the wakeboard and gym double time when I get home but until then I am eating up all this deliciousness.

Today we spent the morning at the Taj Mahal which was really neat to experience. I wont give you the whole run down on the history behind it (but if your interested google it cause it is quite an interesting place). It was pretty overwhelming to know that I was standing in the number one wonder of the world. Last year I made a goal to visit at least one wonder of the world every two years. Two in two years is a pretty good start! The building itself is phenomenal (Dad you would love to be here and hear all about the history and the making), we took tons of pictures and had a really great day taking a bit of a break and just exploring. Tonight we will arrive in Jaipur and tomorrow we will spend the day hopefully riding elephants and shopping around the markets. In the evening we will go back to Delhi and start our work in the different shelters and whatnot around the city on Monday morning.

Again I am writing this in hopes I will actually find a connection to post. I hope this message finds all of you well and I hope life at home is fabulous! I quite enjoy the fact that all my friends and family are living in the past to me and I am living in their future, if even by a day it is very fun and a great irony for me seeing as though the present always seems to be the one lost in my world. Anyway, I am safe, having an absolute blast, and really enjoying India. I will write again when I get the chance (although I may not find internet again until London). Love you all!!!

इंडिया India

Written June 5th 2009:

India!!! Honestly I don’t know where to start, it has been absolutely amazing. I have been here for less than a week and it is one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. I am currently writing this blog on a train to the Himalayans (and hoping I will find an internet connection when we arrive) – but that’s not the point, the point is I am on a train riding across India!!! Sitting on the edge, letting my feet dangle over the side, and typing away to my friends and family back home. This is marvellous!

The people here are like no one else I have ever met, yet like every other person I know. Like most things I want to write home about, I simply cannot. I have had more feelings without words in these few short days. I feel simplified, not just in my spirit but in my mind as well. I cannot write down what I am thinking or how I would like to portray this beautiful place; I don’t even know where to begin.

Ill try writing this first blog a bit more surface, maybe that will open me more. So…heat! Im wondering if any of you have crawled into an oven and camped out for a bit beside a big old pot of stinky stew? No? Huh, you should try too or at the very least travel to India in the dead of summer. Yesterday was 46 for most of the day, humid beyond belief, add on a morning rain, some funky “scents”, and the combination can basically throw you over the edge. It seriously pushes your body to limits you didn’t know you could reach. Every pour of my body leaks, it is absolutely necessary to shower multiple times a day. After a few short hours you are melting, literally you feel like you are melting, like your skin is just dripping off of you and your legs cannot withstand the weight above. Insane people; bloody insane.

Food has been amazing. So many people got my mind messed with all sorts of crazy when it came to the food, but it has been great. I have not eaten a thing I didn’t like and it is not nearly as spicy as I prepared in my mind it would be. Sure the plates are essentially community stacked and just wiped off and handed to the next person, but hey, all for one and one for all! Delhi belly has not even factored in and for that I am grateful, Tasha has already been plugging in my head that this is where I am supposed to be; Im an Indian at heart…humm food for thought!

Again, I would love to tell you all about the people I am traveling with but I cant. I have wrote and re-wrote this part and there are not words, nothing even sitting at the tip of my tongue. I am with beautiful people, each and every one of them thoughtfully placed together on this trip, and for very good reason. They are lovely and they have taught me so much, together we will teach, learn, and grow and I am really looking forward to that piece of the journey.

Mama I miss you. I know you are stressed but there really is no reason to be. I have experienced more kindness, silent connections, and general respect here than anywhere I have been in the world. Dad your words, your verses, your eyes, have kept me calm and focused in times of panic and I am really grateful for that. Christa, I wish I could talk to you every day. I have a million stories I want to share with you so you’re all jacked up for Brazil; I am so excited for you and your team. Tiffany, I miss you. Thank-you for your messy scribbles and disastrous highlights that have beautified my bible and spoke to me when I needed it the most. I love, love you all and I hope to find time to write home again soon. Miss you!