A STRONG WOMAN VERSUS A WOMAN OF STRENGTH A strong woman isn't afraid of anything...A woman of strength shows courage in the midst of fear.A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her...A woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future...A woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them.A strong woman walks sure footed...A woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.A strong woman wears the look on confidence on her face...but a woman of strength wears the look of grace.A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey...But a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.
Best Original Score and Song for A R Rahman and Gulzar
Best Soundmixing for Resul Pookutty.
A R Rahman performing at the Oscars
Mumbai celebrates In all the revelry and jubilation my city has something
more to celebrate.
The Indian diplomat Vikas Swaroop ( currently posted in South Africa)
on whose novel Q&A the motion picture is based
belongs to Allahabad.
There was a great celebration at his parent 's house.
I thought I' d mention this as
everybody tries to establish their
six degrees of separation these days.
The story of an Indian girl born with a cleft lip has won the Oscar award in the short documentary feature category. Smile Pinki tells the story of eight-year-old Pinki's journey from being a social outcast in her village to her acceptance by society. The 39-minute film, made by American director Megan Mylan, was one of four short documentaries nominated for the Academy Awards. Campaigners say it is a big boost for children born needing cleft surgery. Ms Mylan thanked Pinki in her acceptance speech at the award ceremony in Hollywood. "Thank you Pinki. Thank you for letting me tell your incredible story," she said. 'Asleep' Pinki, for her part, had fallen asleep before the award was announced. "Pinki was in the hall, but was asleep by then, it was quite late," plastic surgeon Dr Subodh Kumar Singh told the BBC from Los Angeles. Pinki smiles at Oscars Dr Singh performed the corrective surgery on Pinki in 2007 which transformed her life. "Before the awards, she was very good on the red carpet and posed for pictures with the rest of the team. But she got tired and fell asleep," he said. Dr Singh described Smile Pinki's victory as "fabulous". "The Oscar is the biggest news for cleft children. It will bring awareness about the problem and help the cause of four million children worldwide who are born with cleft," he said. Meanwhile, celebrations have begun in Pinki's village Rampur Dhavaia in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Pinki's mother Shimla Devi, uncle Mithai Lal Sonkar and other relatives watched the Oscar ceremony live on the only television set in the village at the home of a retired government official. 'Huge procession' "The news has been received with much joy," Mithai Lal Sonkar told the BBC. "The villagers marched in a huge procession, there were 500 to 600 people, there was drum beating and the crowds chanted 'Bharat mata ki jai' [Long live Mother India]." "The head of the village council has brought sweets and Pinki's mother has gone to the Shiva temple for thanksgiving."
The award has been welcomed by campaigners He said the villagers had organised two days of prayers at the Shiva temple to pray for Pinki's victory. Born with a cleft lip in an impoverished family, Pinki spent the first few years of her life in abject misery. Before the surgery, Pinki was shunned and teased by the children in her village. "Everyone called me hothkati [the girl with the torn lip]," Pinki told the BBC earlier in February. "I would feel very bad. I would feel hurt and get very angry. Sometimes I would abuse them. Now no one calls me a hothkati. They all call me Pinki," she said. But post-Oscar, Pinki is a big star. "We are all waiting for her to return from LA, then we will have real celebrations," her uncle said. The award has also been welcomed by campaigners. "Most people are unaware that cleft can be corrected and that too, totally free," Satish Kalra, South Asia director of global cleft charity Smile Train, told the BBC.
"This Oscar will create tremendous awareness about cleft, how it can be fixed, how a child will look post surgery. And even if 1% of the four million cleft patients go for surgery after this film, it will mean 40,000 people. "Can you imagine any other Oscar which has transformed the lives of so many people? I am absolutely delighted by the award," he said. (Source BBC)
The Central Methodist Church is located just down our street.
It is known a Lal -Red Girja - Church .
My family were originally Methodists.
My great grandfather and grandfather were
both Methodist Pastors.
We used to attend this church as children
But later on my family left because of church politics
and lack of spiritual food.
I clicked these photos from a
moving rickshaw.
My church is known as Safed Girja or White Church
because of its white exterior. I wore this last week . This is a woolen dress. Last week was cold so I could wear it. Since the past 2 days its become pretty warm.
I turned this rose into oil painting on Photoscape recommended by my friend Monsoon Dreams who is an excellent photographer. I lost my Internet Connection for an entire day but got it restored by evening. Started tutoring Simran again from today. She will be having her annual exams from March 2nd. She 's only in Grade 2 but has a lot of work to do. The Indian school system is hard on kids. __________ PRAYER REQUEST Last week the church got a hefty electricity bill. We don 't have the means to pay it yet. Please pray for God 's provision. He is the same yesterday today and forever. We have left it in His hands.
I was able to go for the first two days only as I could not get transport
for the last 3 days.
This was the 60th Anniversary
of the Spiritual Life Convention
I 've been attending since childhood.
My sister and I and cousins and friends used to sing in the choir.
I have such joyful memories of this place of
Spiritual Pilgrimage.
My parents invited the key speakers for a meal each year.
The meetings were well attended.
The Altar
Power Point display
Leading worship
The English Choir singing
Where Could I Go But To The Lord?
I just had to post a video and the lyrics of that song as I love it so much.
Living below in this old sinful world Hardly a comfort can afford Striving alone to face temptations sore Where could I go but to the Lord Where could I go oh where could I go Seeking a refuge for my soul Needing a friend to save me in the end Where could I go but to the Lord Neighbors are kind, I love them everyone. We get along in sweet accord. But when my soul needs manna from above,Where could I go but to the lord Where could I go oh where could I go Seeking a refuge for my soul Needing a friend to save me in the end Where could I go but to the Lord Life here is grand with friends I love so dear Comfort I get from God's own Word Yet when I face the chilling hand of death Where could I go but to the Lord Where could I go oh where could I go Seeking a refuge for my soul Needing a friend to save me in the end Where could I go but to the Lord
since there have been a number of burglaries in our neighbourhood.
They are the common Indian pariah pooches.
Their names are Nitty (L) and Naughty (R)
I prefer calling them Natty and Knotty.
Naughty true to his name is quite a scamp.
They are chained up all day and let loose at night.
They are not house pets like Sheeba., but are well taken care of.
Although they are are a bit of a nuisance around Sheeba and have
dug up our garden and run off with slippers and shoes.
Princess Sheeba looking straining into the lens.
David of Sugarloaf Mountain mentioned the phrase 'Who let the dogs out ' on his blog. There is a song by that title too. I think it means Who caused the trouble? Googling the phrase revealed various analysis . What do you think the phrase 'Who let the dogs out ' means ? Well don 't take it too seriously.
I don 't know if I am wading into troubled waters.
who come around crying loudly on the streets. This time we sold a stack of newspapers
for Rs 176 which is about US $ 3.54 Do you see such old fashioned scales in the West? One has to be careful they can trick you. Some of these men have faulty scales with holes in them and incorrect weights. The book of Proverbs in the Bible talks about it. Mama usually keeps the paper money to use for her garden purchases (seeds etc.) This time after a brief contemplation she said,"Do you think we can get Domino's Pizzas with this paper money?" Domino's opened last year in our city.We 've not sampled its fare as friends have told us that' s its very expensive. The cheapest pizza is about $4.I could make pizzas for 4 people with that much. Anyway ,I told Mummy to keep her money - sometimes we can splurge. My dear Mother is watching
She sometimes does that. Keeps her 76 years young ! The excitement it generates is equal to
Last weekend I went to a prayer meeting at the Bible College.
It was the culmination of 3 days of fasting and prayer
before the launching of a new project.
Believers from all main denominations got together for prayer. There was preaching of the Word, worship and prayer.
The meeting lasted two and a half hours longer than expected. Sitting on the hard un-padded bench I felt sorry for these mothers with infants. This little girl right next to me fell asleep on her mom 's knee. And when she got hungry, mom covered herself with her sari and nursed her! The kids were so quiet and patient. it seemed older people like me were wriggling in their seats. _________________________
Last week there was a wedding in our neighbourhood. These are people from a lower economic group and having no place to hold their reception they had it across the street on the pavement. I took a photo of the dinner buffet outside my gate. Could have gate-crashed!!!
Hope I have not insulted the artistic sensitivities of millions of people who view my blog. And I hope I won 't be blogging from Guantanamo Bay shortly. I am just trying to laugh at myself .
In Novenber 2008 ,Ruan a very close Sri Lankan Christian brother/friend
of Prem and Anju 's went to be with the Lord after fighting
a brave battle with cancer.
He left behind his young wife, Kumari and 3 small children.
The Premkumars took the kids out for a fun night
to the Crystal Palace in Moncton. Mahima with the youngest. Ash with Divine during Christmas . Today is Divine 's birthday. He is 5. Mahima snapped this photo of Ash and Mackenzie during an unrefereed wrestling match.The red in Canadian flag shows so I can include this photo. If you enlarge the photo by clicking on it you can see clearly see a blanket crocheted by Anju and Mama. ____________
His factory closed down last month and he is seeking employment.
Waiting is very hard to do but we are asking the Lord to open the right doors. Relocating would mean selling their house and changing
Mahima 's High School which would be the last option.
These are difficult times and we have to exert our faith extra hard.
Here is a prayer for those seeking employment which Germaine Copeland put in her newsletter.
You can pray this prayer for Prem and Anju and all those who are looking for jobs.
_______________
Father, in Jesus’ name, we believe and confess Your Word over our friends and family members who are looking for jobs, knowing that You watch over Your Word to perform it. You are their exceeding great Hope. Your desire is that they prosper and be in health even as their souls prosper. Father, You are the Source of every consolation, comfort, and encouragement. Holy Spirit, give them great courage and strengthen them as they send out their resumes and go out looking for jobs.Your children work in quietness, earning food and other necessities. They continue in well-doing without weakening. Applying themselves to good deeds — to honest labor and honorable employment — they are able to meet necessary demands. Father, You know the record of their works and what they are doing. You will set before __________ a door wide open, which no one is able to shut. They fear not [there is nothing to fear], for You are with them; they look around with confidence without terror and dismay, for You are their God. You will strengthen and harden them to difficulties, yes, You will help them; yes, You will hold them up and retain them with Your [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. In Jesus they have perfect peace and confidence and they are of good cheer, for Jesus overcame the world and deprived it of its power to harm them. They choose being peaceful and confident for Your peace, Father, mount guard over their hearts and minds. They face every situation with calmness and patience, for they are self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency. Teach them during this period of trial to guard their speech – remind them Holy Spirit to speak excellent and princely things.Your children prize Your wisdom, Father, and acknowledge You. You direct, make straight and plain their paths, and You promote them. Therefore, Father, they are increasing in Your wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years and in favor with You, Father, and with man! Amen. (For listing of Scripture references go to www.prayers.org)Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. (James 5:14 AMP)In the meantime let us hold fast to our confession of faith, remembering that our hope is strong, and “in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.” (A Hymn of Grace, The Solid Rock by Keith W. Ward)When you pray for others you have a Divine Helper here on earth (the Holy Spirit) and you are partaking of the intercession of Jesus our High Priest.
This is a video from a Hindi movie called Jodha Akbar
Jodhaa Akbar is a sixteenth century love story about a political marriage of convenience that gave birth to true love between a great Mughal emperor, Akbar, (Muslim) and a Rajput (Hindu) princess, Jodhaa.
The song sequence takes one into the charming world of a Mughal Palace
Today is My adopted sister Sonia 's birthday. Here she is with her husband and 7 year old son Abner. It is also my younger sister Namrita 's son -Mishael 's birthday. Mishael is 12 years. I don 't have a photo to post. I have asked Namrita to send me a photo. She has Internet on her Sony Erickson cell phone and not on her computer. They are both busy working people and parents. Namrita is a laborious home-maker. She says she does not have time for the Internet. So she 's got it on her phone. She also does not want her boys to be distracted by the www while they are at their studies. Tomorrow is my late father 's birthday. This is an old photo of us on holiday in Kashmir. I am the one in the front and sister Anju is at the back. We were enjoying the snow on a glacier in June. Namrita wanted to see photos of my other sister 's family in Canada, so I am posting them here.
Niece and nephew, Mahima and Ash
Ash, home from College, carting wood into the house This photo was taken last April when the snow was melting in New Brunswick. Anju is wearing a shawl from India. It has tiny mirrors sewn into it.
I am a single , evangelical, born-again Christian woman, I was my mother 's care giver till she died on Jan 29,2012.I am serving the Lord in my church and community.The purpose of my blog is to share the trials and triumphs of life in India and encourage friends to pray for us.You can call it a cross cultural blog
The article below really touched my 
I copied this article from Sherri 's blog called Matter of Fact. I love reading her posts.
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