Unexpected Angels

It has been a very busy time these last few weeks! I have successfully complied my various and colorful To-Do lists and have been steadily checking off the items.

Note: This post is traveling in reverse order.

News from Sunday:

Sydney and I spoke with our host family in India early Sunday morning : ) It was a good conversation and many questions were answered. They are very excited for Sydney and I to arrive and look forward to meeting us in person with great eagerness and much joy, as do we. Currently our scheduled departure date is the 20^th of September! Our main responsibilities will include teaching kids from 4-8 years old and helping with what needs to be done around the house. Brother Matthew will supply a phone for Sydney and I that is capable of receiving international calls. We weren't expecting that! What a blessing!

A Story from Saturday:

I have been working at the diner for several weeks now. Saturday night was a night filled with those cranky customers who, for some reason or another, feel fussy over the slightest thing and don't really greet you with a smile in return.

It was the end of the night and a table of about 10 women were leaving. In the midst of the commotion, a couple walked in. I was totally not prepared to be seating anyone, I'd never done that before, but the hostess was busy closing out checks, so I went over and sat the couple in a booth. We chatted a bit, and I didn't feel like they were too excited by the service that evening. The woman asked me a question which I should have rightly known the answer to – which dishes are vegetarian? Haha, me, a vegetarian had no answered prepared. I decided I would learn the answer to this question. So I left, still feeling a slight negativity towards the establishment, perhaps also toward my service. I wanted to help lighten the mood so we struck up a conversation. It was a good talk, the best I had had all night. We found that there were a lot of commonalities in our lives and chatted about living in the area. I told them that I had just graduated from Eastern University with a degree in Anthropology and Missions and I was on my way to India. I found out they go to a church near Eastern. By the end of the night, I had giving them the link to this blog (Hope you're reading this guys, and I do remember your names, I just didn't want to share them with the world!) and we exchanged many encouraging words. As frequently happens at the diner, sometimes the customers prefer to hand a tip to the server instead of leaving it on the table. So when the woman walked over to me I thought this was what was happening, or perhaps she needed something else. She did hand me a tip – and when she walked away my eyes filled with tears. It was a very large tip, she said it was for my work in India. It doubled what I had made the entire night. The Lord does provide. And I was very moved by their kindness. Just that night, before going to work, I asked that the Lord would show me His provision. I was not expecting it to be like this – but I think that's one of the beautiful things about God. You never know how He will display His glory, but every time it's perfect.

Thanksgiving Friday:

Last Friday my friends and family and I celebrated what has become a Bechthold-Misiak-friendsofkatandserinawhoaremorelikefamilyanway Family tradition known as Thanksgiving in August. Thanksgiving in August started several years ago when Ken started studying in Texas. He wasn't home for thanksgiving in November, so we had it early so that all the college students could be home for it. This time, though, it was a little different. Not only was Ken going to be away from home in November, Sydney, my dad and I will also not be here. It will be a strange day indeed. I was very blessed to have my friend Jackie drive me all the way up to my house  just to spend a short 24 hours with my family and friends before heading back down to Philly. It was a great time. I got to talk with DJ and share in her exciting news and new adventures. I was able to spend the night talking to Serina. We enjoyed delicious food at the Misiak's and played cards in the afternoon, Spoons and Missionary Manners. Then the Morgan's invited Jackie and I over to their house for an hour or so, we had a great time of discussion and prayer. Then Jackie and I returned to the Misiak's in order to spend one last hour with Ken before head back to Texas. I am so thankful for all these beautiful people who are in my life. I always leave feeling loved and cared for. It's funny how, sometimes, it's the people whom you least expect that make the biggest difference in your life. So many angels from unexpected places. You know who you are, and thank you.

It has been a long tumultuous summer, so many seasons wrapped up in one. I'm glad for the events and people who have been in my life. Sure, I've made mistakes and I carry my fair share of regret, but there is always forgiveness. But life's too short to spend holding on to that stuff. Make up with those who you know you've hurt and forgive those who you don't think deserve it. You won't regret it.

Ok, That's enough preaching for today. Check back soon!


 
Peace, Hope and Love,

Katrina Elyse

This is how I feel.

This week will be filled with so many things that need to get done!
Sydney and I have been putting together list after list and I've been able to check a lot of things off. It's going well, but i feel like there's so little time. She leaves for Texas to visit her family on the 1st, she'll stay until the 11th. So to do things together, we really only have about two weeks. I enjoy the challenge, I hate the stress. But - this will be a good week! it always feels so good to get a lot of things done. So i'm excited! There's a lot more but i'll have to post that on a different day.
Also, when I was looking for that photo, i came across this one and it made me smile. Oh to be a child again :-)

More soon!

Katrina Elyse

Speaking at LVCC and Aswasa Bhavan

      It's been a while since I last posted. India developments had been going slowly but things are still coming together!

      On Sunday Sydney and I had a chance to share what we will be doing in India at Lords Valley Community Church (LVCC), my home church.

      So Sydney and I will be working at a house in Kerala, India, called Aswasa Bhavan, which means "Home of Comfort."  In this home, a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew, has chosen to take in children whose parent(s) are in, and will be in, prison for the rest of their lives. These kids don't have anyone else to take care of them, so the Matthew's have taken them in and raise the kids as if they were their own children. It is a beautiful ministry. Everyone lives in one big house! Syd and I will be staying in a room in the house too! If you'd like to read more about it for yourself, here's their website
http://www.aswasabhavan.org/home.htm

      Now, like I said, the pieces are still coming together, but Sydney and I do have an idea of how we will be helping while we're in India. First, we'll be teaching English. Aswasa Bhavan holds school from kindergarten through 4th grade. The Matthew's are a Christian family, so Syd and I will also be teaching Bible studies and working with the children in this way. I'm sure we'll also help out around the house, with cooking, and that sort of thing. What an adventure lies ahead! I'm also very excited about learning the language and culture while we're there. Our city of Pamady is a whole 1/2 square mile!

So you have an idea of where we'll be, here are a few maps:

Kerala, India

Pampady, Kerala

     What else is new.... Oh yeah! I've been dancing again! I'm absolutely enjoying it! I really hope to be able to coordinate some kind of dance ministry/lessons for the girls (and/or boys) in Kerala, that would be totally wonderful!

      As the day is approaching my To Do list is quickly filling up, right  now I'll be putting the final touches on my visa application. Then it's on to all that fun medical stuff!

Peace and blessings,
TTFN (For all of you who are unfamiliar with the vocabulary of Winnie the Pooh's best friend Tigger, that means Ta-Ta For Now)

                                      - Katrina Elyse