Just Givin' Some Thanks

Hey yall, sorry for the long period with no updates (again). Things have been super busy lately.

First off, the half yearly exams are going on right now, so I've been grading a TON of papers. Fun times. All the boys are getting great grades on all my exams, so that's good!

In other news, this is the season of weddings. Due to some Hindu belief of god's sleeping and waking up, they all have their marriages during a period of one month. SO, Veer and I have attending about 7 or 8 marriage parties in the past month. Lost of weird traditions, like marching through the streets dancing all the way to the bride's house while the groom rides a horse and holds a sword. They have to stay in their homes for a period of time before the wedding itself. The receptions are basically tons of food with an outdoor stage with two thrones on it where the newlyweds sit. I have pictures of that which will be posted on my return. They wear the most ridiculous (to US standards) outfits, consisting of extremely shiny and sparkly clothes and cheap looking plastic decorations in their turbans. Instead of exchanging rings, they exchange leis (did I spell that right? you know, the flower necklaces lol). Anywho, it's all really insteresting.

Construction is going well. The roof on the second floor of the school and church are both finished and the massive stage is currently being constructed. Kids who have been out here won't even recognize it anymore, it's totally different.

It's been raining a lot lately, which has made it fairly cold, even for me (the Indians have a different definition of "cold" than we do, a perfect day for us = three layers of clothes haha). But the rain has been causing some problems. Countless buses, tractors, rickshaws and cars have gotten stuck in the mud. That plus the battery in Veer's car dying on us a lot lately equals Ethan pushing a lot of cars, some to get unstuck, some to get to start.

Thanksgiving YO. Well, my thanksgiving was rather pleasant. For breakfast, I took all the poptarts my mother sent me, cut them up, and shared them with the boys. They loved 'em! After school, Veer and I went to Ajmer to visit a pastor and had some chicken nuggets and chicken burgers for lunch, that was homely. Thanksgiving night, we doubled up two celebrations: Thanksgiving and John's (the second oldest orphan) 15th birthday. We had cake, biscuits, a chocolate treat that just seemed like cereal to me, these cream filled things, and more! It was very pleasant. We also spent some time in prayer and worship, giving thanks to the Most High, for all the blessings He has given us. Missed throwing the pigskin with my brother though :[

That's really all that's been going on: exams, weddings, and life.
Still constantly struggling with the boys to steal their work. Earlier this week I was helping John, Samuel, and Shivam clean the buses. They demanded I stopped and "supervised". I told them, as their supervisor, to let me show them how it's done haha. They still don't really get that I am here to serve... I try to explain, but they just don't understand why an American would come to India to do work for some orphans... The battle wages on.

Miss you all, a little over month left here in the land of festivals, then it's back to the grand ol' US of A. Bittersweet.

Much love!
-E

"I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins." -my Father
Isaiah 43:25