In India it is acceptable to drop in and visit people unannounced. This week we' ve had plenty of surprise visitors. On Sunday after church 11 people came. I served tea and refreshments to all.Everyone enjoyed the warm sunshine in our garden.
A cousin 's son. While I served tea to the elders, this little guy wanted a cold drink (which I always give him in the summer). He was disappointed I didn 't have any on hand. (LOL).
A cousin 's son. While I served tea to the elders, this little guy wanted a cold drink (which I always give him in the summer). He was disappointed I didn 't have any on hand. (LOL).Yesterday an aunt and a cousin and her husband visited - all pleasant surprises.
And today the biggest surprise were Dennis and Elizabeth, our friends from Australia. Dr M trained and educated agriculturists in the Christian Agricultural University. He was the director of the Dept. of Non Formal Education. The M 's ( 4 children - 3 daughters and a son) were like family to us. They were the energy, life and encouragement of our Fellowship. now they are back in their home country Australia, where Dennis is pastoring a church and Elizabeth is a school. teacher. All their children are married and they have 4 cute grand daughters. They are visiting India after 4 years.
With Mama
I read this except on Taiwan Prattler 's blog.
The story is quoted in Tim Keller’s Prodigal God, page 51:
One day Jesus said to his disciples: “I’d like you to carry a stone for Me.” He didn’t give any explanation. So the disciples looked around for a stone to carry, and Peter, being the practical sort, sought out the smallest stone he could possibly find. After all, Jesus didn’t give any regulations for weight and size! So he put it in his pocket. Jesus then said: “Follow Me.” He led them on a journey. About noontime Jesus had everyone sit down. He waved his hands and all the stones turned to bread. He said, “Now it’s time for lunch.” In a few seconds, Peter’s lunch was over. When lunch was done Jesus told them to stand up. He said again, “I’d like you to carry a stone for Me.” This time Peter said, “Aha! Now I get it!” So he looked around and saw a small boulder. He hoisted it on his back and it was painful, it made him stagger. But he said, “I can’t wait for supper. “ Jesus then said: “Follow Me.” He led them on a journey, with Peter barely being able to keep up. Around supper time Jesus led them to the side of a river. He said, “Now everyone throw your stones into the water.” They did. Then he said, “Follow Me,” and began to walk. Peter and the others looked at him dumbfounded. Jesus sighed and said, “Don’t you remember what I asked you to do? Who were you carrying the stones for?”
And today the biggest surprise were Dennis and Elizabeth, our friends from Australia. Dr M trained and educated agriculturists in the Christian Agricultural University. He was the director of the Dept. of Non Formal Education. The M 's ( 4 children - 3 daughters and a son) were like family to us. They were the energy, life and encouragement of our Fellowship. now they are back in their home country Australia, where Dennis is pastoring a church and Elizabeth is a school. teacher. All their children are married and they have 4 cute grand daughters. They are visiting India after 4 years.
With Mama
I read this except on Taiwan Prattler 's blog. This was the way I was introduced to Timothy Keller who is likened to a present day C S Lewis. I would like to read his book Prodigal God and others too, if they are ever available here.
On Timothy Keller 's website you can read book reviews and read Chapter One from Prodigal God.
The story is quoted in Tim Keller’s Prodigal God, page 51:
One day Jesus said to his disciples: “I’d like you to carry a stone for Me.” He didn’t give any explanation. So the disciples looked around for a stone to carry, and Peter, being the practical sort, sought out the smallest stone he could possibly find. After all, Jesus didn’t give any regulations for weight and size! So he put it in his pocket. Jesus then said: “Follow Me.” He led them on a journey. About noontime Jesus had everyone sit down. He waved his hands and all the stones turned to bread. He said, “Now it’s time for lunch.” In a few seconds, Peter’s lunch was over. When lunch was done Jesus told them to stand up. He said again, “I’d like you to carry a stone for Me.” This time Peter said, “Aha! Now I get it!” So he looked around and saw a small boulder. He hoisted it on his back and it was painful, it made him stagger. But he said, “I can’t wait for supper. “ Jesus then said: “Follow Me.” He led them on a journey, with Peter barely being able to keep up. Around supper time Jesus led them to the side of a river. He said, “Now everyone throw your stones into the water.” They did. Then he said, “Follow Me,” and began to walk. Peter and the others looked at him dumbfounded. Jesus sighed and said, “Don’t you remember what I asked you to do? Who were you carrying the stones for?”
9 Fertilize my soul:
Wow!i see,you had a wonderful xmas!i had eight guests for a week here.my old pre university friends with their families.it was sooo wonderful.one of the best xmas i ever had :-).sad that they r leaving today.
yeah,i love surprise guests.informal relationships is what i love about Indian life.
Glad to see ur snaps with friends and mama.
How fun to see your relatives and friends, and the friends from Australia who had been away for 4 years. I am sure your tea and refreshments were delicious. Nice story about the stone carrying.
I am glad you had interesting old friends dropping in on you clear from Australia! You sound very hospitable. Nice you had the house all painted for company!
Dear Amrita,
How you must be blessed to live in the wonderful garden where you can receive guests outdoors for Christmas entertainments.
I look at the thermometer and it's +15 C in the morning.
We have about the same degrees, only with a minus in front of the digits.
Both you and your Mama are looking so well, in fact better than ever. I think you thrive in festive surroundings.
I liked that stone carrying epistle. Peter is so close to me in so many ways.
He's impulsive and will often exaggerate, without seeing the Lord's meaning with the burdens he's asking us to carry.
That is comforting me over and over again, when I feel small over all my wrongdoings.
(The other day I really lost my temper with a tax assistant clerk in a public office. Gunnar felt embarrassed, but luckily supported me.
Coming home I could see that I should have behaved with more dignity, even though this clerk was an arrogant little worm. - Now I'm at it again.- )
Well, when Jesus loved, forgave and even called Peter his rock, there must be some hope for me too.
Sad thing is, I am growing so very slow.
Thank you for a good lecture.
I in fact feel refreshed, and shall try, one more time, to do my chores for the Lord, only.
Yours Felisol
dearest friend Amrita,
We are wishing you a happy 2011 and I thank you for being my blogfriend
may we keep contakt by blogging, all the best and I'm sending you , your mom and your family and pets, my blessings and love:)
JoAnn from Holland + puppy Joyi-Jan
I wish You and Your family all the best and many God's blessings and going through the life with courage and love!
How fun to have all the company. Due to stormy weather most everyone stayed put most of the week as we didn't want to get stuck someplace.
Wishes for good health and happiness in 2011.
Amrita I came by to wish you and you family health, happiness and blessings for the coming year. I truly appreciate your visits and comments and thank you sincerely for your friendship over the last few months.
This is a wonderful post. You always say something that makes me stop, think and appreciate...thank you for that.
Carol
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