tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14545739963996907872012-01-26T21:25:29.815-05:00"All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost" JRR TolkienMelissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.comBlogger5441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-62500860233720858752012-01-25T23:27:00.001-05:002012-01-25T23:27:30.816-05:00

a few weeks ago i had this conversation with Shaggy... S: oh Moshumi di, you're not sleeping very well are you. M: no. S: And you have a lot of tension right now? S: And you're not eating very much are you? M: Why Shaggy? Why are you asking these questions? Do I look bad? S: a little bad.

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-85064276331003973402012-01-24T22:36:00.001-05:002012-01-24T22:36:41.636-05:00

"Like an endless falling" ~Walter Bruggeman Things fall apart,      the center cannot hold We are no strangers to the falling apart; We perpetrate against the center of our lives,      and on some days it feels           like an endless falling,           like a deep threat,           like ruthless wind. But you...you in the midst,          you back in play,          you rebuking and silencing

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-71237846020477798762012-01-23T10:05:00.000-05:002012-01-23T10:05:24.088-05:00

Last week i got to spend some time in Mumbai with my friend/former roommate Stephanie. It was so good...for so many reasons. it was good to be out of Kolkata. it was good to not work for a few days (before i left i was putting pressure on myself for my time away to be purposeful, or reflective, or intentional, with lots of emotional processing space...but then i realized what i really needed

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-88185469971702696992012-01-06T11:54:00.001-05:002012-01-06T11:54:13.733-05:00

That's right...tomorrow (or maybe today depending on when you read this) is my birthday :) It's the first birthday i've celebrated at Sari Bari - and i rather intentionally didn't give the ladies warning that it was my birthday. I wanted to surprise them...and i wanted it to be simple. When they found out it was my birthday (or that my birthday is tomorrow and we were celbrating today)

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-17200016944925501592012-01-04T23:17:00.002-05:002012-01-04T23:17:31.092-05:00

I get to be a part of so many conversations in the course of a week. some are funny. some are hard. some are just plain silly. some frustrated me. some i don't quite understand. some i'd like to avoid. i've been thinking it would be fun to start sharing some of those conversations with you all...and in my head i've named this segment of my blog, "the Shaggy conversation of the week" although, i

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-5795788717827680002012-01-02T10:07:00.001-05:002012-01-02T22:46:22.720-05:00

Last year I got a tattoo. It says, “hope” in Bengali (It’s pronounced “asha”). One of the things I didn’t expect before I got the tattoo (although, now in hindsight it seems perfectly clear) is that most people would think my name is Asha. (it’s quite common to have your name, or the name of your husband or child or god tattooed on your forearm here). Once they determine that I know what

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-14230798220027488042012-01-01T06:25:00.000-05:002012-01-01T06:25:02.989-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-23976849455293175122011-12-30T01:15:00.002-05:002011-12-30T01:15:21.112-05:00

Headed to a hotel for a bit of rest. When i look back on the past month, the past two weeks...there's been so much emotion... I've moved from one thing to another...with little space to feel the various losses/transitions  or celebrations that have come my way. "powering through" in some ways...and in much deeper ways being held, by the Lord, and by my community in the midst of some full and

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-73521642158205959392011-12-19T23:28:00.000-05:002011-12-19T23:28:15.141-05:00

communion in the living room truth and beauty sung so clearly chicken burgers and being together in the kitchen the doxology the past few weeks this flat has held some incredible moments. time together in the kitchen sitting in silence in the living room so beautiful.

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-67601845537828592782011-12-17T03:43:00.000-05:002011-12-17T03:43:36.007-05:00

the past 6 weeks or so haven't been the best/easiest season of life. it feels like this is a season of loss - in many ways. i have been tired. i have been stressed out. i have been frustrated. many times i have thought, "this is just too much" or "really?!?! one more thing?!?!" little things like our fridge breaking. my favorite sunglasses breaking. and big things - like kyle leaving. and

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-89005234736473707272011-12-16T06:53:00.000-05:002011-12-16T06:53:01.714-05:00

থাক let it be. this is my new favorite word.

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-41377162626985345252011-12-15T09:20:00.000-05:002011-12-15T09:20:23.750-05:00

On Friday a drunk guy followed Sheila and I home...well, he tried to anyway. i know that may sound a bit shocking - it certainly isn't fun to be followed, but also isn't horribly shocking or scary. We know it's a possibility and have a plan for it...namely, call someone if you're alone, and don't come home...get in a vehicle so he can't follow you etc. So sheila and i got in an auto and

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-66557785192556019632011-12-12T22:30:00.000-05:002011-12-12T22:30:00.470-05:00

I am tired of deferred hope. I've been reading a book this Advent season. "Behold the Lamb of God: An advent Narrative"  which has been so beautiful to journey with this advent season. Recently the reading was about the time that the Israelites spent as slaves in Egypt...here's a bit of what it says... "Four hundred years was enough time to convince the people they were meant to be slaves

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-85151217015620666992011-12-11T04:51:00.001-05:002011-12-11T21:45:48.667-05:00

This week was all i expected it to be and more. on Friday night i feel asleep on the couch at 9:30 - cause i was just so exhausted. all this emotional exhaustion running over into physical exhaustion. like so many parts of my life here, i can't explain this week to you. i cannot explain how beautiful, or how hard Kyle's going away parties were. i cannot explain to you the sadness, the

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-60357090405353224062011-12-09T08:15:00.001-05:002011-12-09T08:18:31.736-05:00

i recently read a great blog on Daphne's blog...here's the link. why bother re-saying what has already been said so beautifully, about something i know very little about?! so, after reading the blog, i've decided to name 2012. i don't know what the name will be yet. i've been praying about it...and by the time 2012 rolls around i'm sure i will have settled on a good name for the year. i've

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-38438723842453677662011-12-06T02:05:00.001-05:002011-12-06T02:07:32.798-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-64077883061927315182011-12-04T09:42:00.001-05:002011-12-05T09:44:02.391-05:00

Tonight in our living room...homemade egg nog (thanks Sheila!) and advent celebration. we listened to my favorite Christmas album, "Behold the Lamb" by Andrew Peterson we read from the Book of Common Prayer...  "Likewise, we are in a world pregnant with hope, and we live in the expectation of the coming of God's kingdom on earth. As we wait, we also work, cry, pray, ache; we are the

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-77329795365550384852011-12-03T12:24:00.001-05:002011-12-03T12:37:23.784-05:00

 WMF Family Christmas!  Beth, Amy, Me, Tim, Ella, Kyle (Amy, Tim and Ella are on staff in Thailand and were with us for a week...their presence was a gift...and a joy!)  I was winning...but we didn't get to finish...and i never beat sheila at this game! Apple, Pecan and Pumpkin Pie :) Those Servant Team girls I love so much! Erin, Natalie, and Taylor! in the midst of the

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-26495799092986397452011-12-03T03:55:00.001-05:002011-12-03T04:07:08.389-05:00

one of the joys of leading the servant team is book discussion/disturbing movie day. every wednesday we meet and either discuss one of the books they've been assigned to read, or watch a movie and discuss it. the books they're reading are all books i've read before, either on my Servant Team, or in the time since i've been on staff with WMF. they're good books. they are challenging. they kind

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-31074081956508265602011-12-02T00:30:00.000-05:002011-12-02T00:30:02.363-05:00

We are in the middle of a very crazy season here in Kolkata. life tends to be crazy anyway, but the past few weeks have been the perfect storm of crisis, visitors, and intense lists of things that need to be done (and done now) at Sari Bari. Recently i sent an email to some friends and listed all the crises that we're currently juggling over here. her response was that it sounded overwhelming -

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-38348130480546181382011-11-30T22:07:00.001-05:002011-11-30T22:15:04.664-05:00

A few weeks ago Beth cleaned out my coffee pot and wrote this prayer out and put it inside as a morning surprise. She knows that i hate cleaning out my coffee pot, and she new that i'd had a rough night. I felt so loved. This prayer has become my morning prayer. the cry of my heart. At the Dawn Our first glimpse of reality this day - everyday - is your fidelity. We are dazzled by the ways you

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-90752210883804393882011-11-28T22:31:00.001-05:002011-11-28T22:38:08.282-05:00

It's that time of year... where we wait. we anticipate. we long. we hope. in the midst of a calendar that just keeps coming and shows no signs of letting up. in the midst of graduation parties, going away parties, crisis, and Christmas parties. we set time aside. we wait. we sit. we are still. because there are some things that do deliver what they promise. some things do not disappoint.

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-58804467224249540982011-11-21T01:52:00.000-05:002011-11-21T01:52:54.794-05:00

"Joy is not the froth and lightness we tend to long for and expect. Joy is an anchor: it is heavy. It falls into the coldest, deepest darkest places, where the current and pressure are enough to crush bone, and it holds there. On the surface waves crash and roll, and we are not steady but we are held, and somehow that is beautifully enough. So when the soldier is not yet home, when the cure

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-14483581006137764212011-11-20T00:11:00.001-05:002011-11-20T00:24:51.274-05:00

There is beauty. There is peace. There is community. There is solidarity. deep and true. beyond words. We are sustained. We are held. We are together. beyond words. They call me her "madam" They can't see that she is my sister. In the dark cave of suffering we find beauty. beyond words.

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-30573853261687976642011-11-13T07:57:00.001-05:002011-11-13T08:35:04.625-05:00

This weekend we had a staff retreat at a hotel in town. A friend of our community came and facilitated the time for us. i cannot put into words how timely, beautiful, and restorative this retreat was. we talked through a personality assessment (the enneagram if you're really interested) - sharing what we resonated with in the descriptions of our "numbers" - our strengths and weaknesses - what

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-85337063535025096292011-11-10T11:00:00.001-05:002011-11-10T11:07:03.400-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-13223890843227441592011-10-22T08:50:00.001-05:002011-10-22T08:50:52.873-05:00

not sure why blogger insists on uploaded this picture in this direction (even though it's the other way on my computer...) it's really messing with my "ode"... over 8 years ago my friend Betsy got married. I helped with wedding stuff...and Betsy gave me "Island Queen" - the perfect wallet, in my opinion. The Island Queen and I have been on many adventures together over the past 8 years.

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-86668419888915352182011-10-13T09:20:00.001-05:002011-10-13T09:30:38.223-05:00

today was not what i expected. before i even left the house my plan for the day changed twice. it was not a great day. it was one of those days... ...where tasks that need to be done force aside the things i'm passionate about, the things that make me feel most alive. ...where i failed at everything i tried to do. from the book store that was closed for 2 hrs over lunch, to the trip to the

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-64840414322930414232011-10-11T03:31:00.000-05:002011-10-11T03:31:07.288-05:00

Sari Bari has been closed since Oct 1...for "Durga Puja" and other holidays that fall in there. we always close SB for a week chunk each year to allow women to go home if they want (to visit extended family outside the city w/o missing work). All the other american WMF staff were headed out of town, on fantastic vacations. I wanted to take the servant team to visit the WMF Thailand field, and

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-73307908338551514212011-09-18T23:30:00.000-05:002011-09-18T23:30:00.135-05:00

I spent last weekend with these folks. It was amazing...we went to a hotel just outside of town. we had to stay pretty close cause Gita was great with child...and we needed to be close enough for her to get to the hospital if the baby decided it was time to make her debut...thankfully she didn't...yes, we all work together, but between the 3 different Sari Bari production units, we are rarely all

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-57900824894246411602011-09-17T22:43:00.002-05:002011-09-18T01:48:00.023-05:00

well, after such a long blog silence and so much time...where to begin?!?!The team has been here for nearly 3 weeks. it's hard to believe time has gone so fast.The first week they were here i stayed with them in a hostel and played hostess. showing the how to use public transportation, restaurants, how to get places, orientation etc. it was a full week. I'm so glad i decided to do it that way -

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-41073030516051472332011-08-29T07:34:00.003-05:002011-08-29T08:57:24.974-05:00

sometimes i have ridiculous interactions here. sometimes it drives me crazy. here is a list of things i wanted to get done today (besides stuff i had to do at Sari Bari)... pick up contacts (i ordered some a few weeks ago)go to ATMmake last minute photocopies for the teamcheck into the hostel we will stay at this week (because they arrive late and i was hoping to avoid any hassle later)drop off

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-9411135532315079882011-08-28T10:11:00.002-05:002011-08-28T10:26:24.172-05:00

A year ago i decided that i wanted to host a "Servant Team" this year. (Servant Teams are 4 month internships that WMF does. i participated in one Feb-June of 2007...which is when this blog started...and is pretty much how i decided to live here and do what i do! for more info on Servant Teams, click here The girls arrive tomorrow night. Natalie, Erin and Taylor. they will be in the back of my

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-1242710020736402682011-08-22T04:40:00.002-05:002011-08-22T04:45:39.509-05:00

when i was in the States, i had the opportunity to speak at my home church, Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church. if you'd like to hear what i said, you can listen through these links. click here to listen online (you can just listen, or there is a video available too) or click here if you'd like to download, or you can listen online at this link too.

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-62090307879661493022011-08-21T06:10:00.002-05:002011-08-21T06:16:17.237-05:00

was listening to a sermon this morning and the pastor said that we get good at what we practice. This is hardly an earth shattering revelation. but i was thinking about this when i went to the states. I was in the Frankfurt airport, and then in Chicago - and i kept seeing little things that made me laugh, or smile...little snapshots of joy. and as i found such joy in little things (i can't even

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-54646777884313223372011-08-18T06:19:00.003-05:002011-08-18T06:24:09.955-05:00

i've been working on this training size blanket (about 1/2 the size of a regular one) off and on for almost a year. (since it took me a almost a year to finish i'm gonna say i've mostly been "off" and not "on") i'm proud of my work. i'm glad i did it. it helps me understand how hard our ladies work. i want to make a full size blanket - although i was joking with the ladies that if i try to

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-45809472893583133192011-08-14T04:45:00.002-05:002011-08-14T05:21:01.123-05:00

getting back into life in Kolkata. monday is a holiday, so i get a 3 day weekend. taking it slow. it gives my heart space to prepare for the chaos of kolkata. (that's the good news...the bad news is that it also means 2 days straight of music playing ridiculously loud on loudspeakers outside my flat...ugh...) Random thought: i love that i can pull stuff out of the oven (toaster oven) and set it

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-27069942443271062302011-08-11T03:18:00.002-05:002011-08-11T03:20:56.503-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-63151758562993284132011-07-22T08:25:00.002-05:002011-07-22T08:28:14.617-05:00

Every summer my family spends a week at Lake Michigan in Grand Haven.we go for walks.we go for bike rides.we read books.we play games.we eat ice cream.we play at the beach.we go to The Morning Star Cafe.we are together.a whole week.with my family.yes please!

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-19951533045799564652011-07-15T09:48:00.002-05:002011-07-15T10:01:01.925-05:00

I'm sitting in the den, drinking coffee out of my favorite mug, and the tour de France is playing in the background (Random fact: I happen to love the Tour, and i think its fantastic that its on and i'm at home). I threw a load of laundry in the washer, and my ears are ringing because it is so quiet.Its strange, and yet very familiar to walk into my parent's house. Our family has lived here for

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-58420796640820366012011-07-13T05:10:00.002-05:002011-07-13T07:16:19.963-05:00

A few weeks ago i dropped off some fabric off at the tailor to have a shirt made. The interaction i had with the tailor was all in Bengali. I told her that i live here - just down the road...and i thought i told her that i worked with a business in the area (which is why i'm here).On saturday i needed to talk with the tailor about something so i dropped by the shop.There was another woman in the

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-23964545382115714302011-07-11T07:08:00.001-05:002011-07-11T07:10:57.633-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-70039584340654783972011-07-09T02:43:00.002-05:002011-07-09T03:03:14.157-05:00

"Fairs" are a pretty big deal over here. Not a fair like the county fair in the US...well kind of. there is great street food, games, little shops, toys for the kids.on Thursday we closed the south sari bari an hour early and went to the fair together. we walked together, looked at the stuff for sale, ate great street food, and had a fun outing with the SB ladies.oh, i also bought 2 fish for Kyle

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-68081379193636721582011-07-05T04:08:00.004-05:002011-07-05T04:25:55.671-05:00

She's been absent for awhile so we went to see if she was okay. Was she sick? on vacation? did she just lose the desire to work at Sari Bari? The reasons for absence are endless (and rarely good news) - so we check in on our sisters when they're gone too long.Through the course of our conversation i decided to share the Psalm that we read yesterday morning at SB. I thought it might be encouraging

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-27270964157680104222011-07-04T08:36:00.002-05:002011-07-04T10:12:00.566-05:00

My friends and i were recently joking that if our lives were a reality TV show, people would watch - and be fascinated by our lives. So the past few days i've been thinking of all the funny/crazy things that might show up on "Real World Kolkata"At the end of the show there'd be little comments like:"Previously on Real World Kolkata the team ran out of cooking gas in the middle of a party because

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-11447604016830424792011-07-02T00:33:00.000-05:002011-07-02T00:35:54.022-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-39172317418950614232011-06-29T02:38:00.002-05:002011-06-29T02:56:39.542-05:00

There is an area not too far from here called the Sunderbans.Someday I'd like to go on a boat tour of the Sunderbans.There are mangrove forests.and Jungle....and tigers.a lot of girls who work in the trade come from the sunderbans.last week i had 2 separate conversations with girls from the sunderbans.I asked them if they'd ever seen a tiger in the forest.casually they say, "yes, sure"to which i

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-81878737794932724342011-06-06T10:37:00.002-05:002011-06-06T10:39:03.842-05:00

tomorrow i'm going to nepal.merilee and i are going to go for a walk together (for a few days).i hope its cold.i hope we don't get rained on.i hope all the details work out okay.can't wait....

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-51583323131795721052011-06-02T09:04:00.000-05:002011-06-02T09:06:02.734-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-84423194502769488342011-05-31T01:37:00.002-05:002011-05-31T01:45:23.776-05:00

The other day I was talking with the Sari Bari ladies about Tea Time. I accidentally said that we were having Garlic Tea (instead of Ginger tea). That's the problem with learning the words for Garlic and ginger at the same time. they're linked in my head, and sometimes i confuse them.While i love ginger tea...not so sure about garlic tea. the ladies laughed and laughed - and then told me i was a

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-61618835717079670802011-05-22T00:57:00.003-05:002011-05-22T01:22:30.308-05:00

For the past 2 weeks we've had a team with us in town (they're from IWU, the university Kyle, Sheila and I went to...so its kind of fun to play the "do you know...." game).It has been both refreshing and exhausting to host this team. I am so thankful for their presence, for their questions, for conversation with them. I have loved participating in and leading various discussions with them. Their

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-81868075647458896402011-05-21T02:40:00.000-05:002011-05-21T02:42:01.961-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-25204079292807732912011-05-16T12:53:00.002-05:002011-05-16T13:02:45.105-05:00

so in case you hadn't noticed by my recent posts - its really hot over here these days...and humid.i often wonder why everyone seems so much more put together than i do...and this morning as i was power-walking to the office (cause i was running late) i realized that maybe part of it is that generally people here walk slower. that didn't stop me from power walking though (and also sweating

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-18471168923273440362011-05-13T12:07:00.000-05:002011-05-13T12:09:41.258-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-47935047437513037052011-05-11T09:27:00.001-05:002011-05-11T09:27:47.331-05:00

Sari Bari is holding its first ever Auction. We wanted to creatively engage both our customers and the friends of Sari Bari in the opportunity to help us buy the things we need which are a couple of desktop computers, a server to connect the one and only laptop we currently have, with the hoped for two desktops and a couple of sewing machines so we can employ more

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-49990340507201625412011-05-06T12:04:00.003-05:002011-05-06T12:11:08.259-05:00

here are some of the thoughts running through my mind, or things i heard yesterday when Beth and I were visiting the gach...our lives will be so much richer if he works for us."but i don't know how to sew, how can i work for you?""i've worked here a year. i don't have any family."she has an amazing smilemarried when she was 14. had a child when she was 16, and 18 - and came to work in the trade

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-80094619607962694712011-05-04T22:25:00.002-05:002011-05-04T22:31:48.931-05:00

Sari Bari is auctioning 2 amazing King size blankets.you can read all the details - and look at some pictures at the Sari Bari Blogand here's a link to a better view of the blanketsthey really are absolutely amazing...check 'em out!

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-55563985835267489422011-05-03T10:19:00.004-05:002011-05-03T10:32:43.907-05:00

yesterday i was walking to the office...this is a relatively normal activity for me.at this particular point in my commute i was walking along the edge of the gach.yesterday as i crossed the street i saw a group of 3 guys, leaning up against a fence starring down into a narrow lane where women are working. generally the women there are young. generally they're not working by choice. a few weeks

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-30165630915916296952011-05-02T05:30:00.000-05:002011-05-02T05:30:02.505-05:00

Very few people in this city have more control over our emotional state as taxi drivers do. i know. sounds dumb - but a bad taxi ride has the power to (very quickly) tip me right over the edge from having a good day to anger, yelling, and general hatred of the city.Its unfortunate, but cab drivers have a reputation of being dishonest and trying to rip people off (and not just foreigners). When i

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-54380233762352432062011-05-01T05:30:00.001-05:002011-05-01T11:33:30.573-05:00

I've mentioned before that my church here in K-town uses the liturgy. Its an Anglican church...and i continue to love it in new ways every time i'm there.one of the things i love is the intercession. its so steady. thought out. it's like it takes my heart's frantic cries, the desperate yearnings...the pleading for divine intervention, mercy, wisdom - and distills them into something beautiful.The

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-81105074075704349962011-04-30T05:18:00.004-05:002011-04-30T05:34:20.948-05:00

Kyle, Beth, Sheila and I at Easter Lunchswimming of the edge of the hotel...the pool at the hotel where i had a little city "get away"Kolkata...not the way i usually see it...beautiful, huh?!Cab ride home - the sun was setting...and i just thought it was really beautifuli can't figure this weather out...i'm not complaining...not at all, but it has been really cool the past 10 days or so. usually

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-59923913105991321002011-04-24T11:17:00.002-05:002011-04-24T11:29:34.175-05:00

the wind is blowing like its going to rain.blessed rain! it takes the edge off the heat and humidity. and when i feel the wind blow like this i get quite excited - because i know i'll sleep well tonight! (although in reality, the weather has been quite weird this hot season...and generally cooler than normal...with more rain than normal - which is just fine by me!)i just finished a little "

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-30198325765435603882011-04-15T08:55:00.003-05:002011-04-15T09:16:23.352-05:00

The Cry (word made flesh's advocacy journal) recently posted the newest issue online.I have an article in it...if you subscribe to the paper version of The Cry, i'm sure you'll be getting it soon in your mailbox...otherwise, you can download a PDF of The Cry by clicking here. or you can look at just my article by clicking here.in other Kolkata news (since i've been woefully neglectful of the blog

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-64218990845669971672011-04-03T08:38:00.002-05:002011-04-03T11:45:48.317-05:00

So India won the Cricket world cup last night...and it was awesome.we had some friends over...we were primarily celebrating Sarah...her 10 yr anniversary w/ WMF...and a send off party as she prepares to leave for sabbatical.half way through the party we got out the projector - and watched the end of the cricket match on the big screen....it was a good game. unfortunately watching on the internet

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-72479023242887453502011-03-30T05:55:00.002-05:002011-03-30T05:59:08.319-05:00

The Cricket World Cup has been going on since mid-February.last night Sri Lanka and New Zealand played in the first semi-final. (sri lanka won)and today Pakistan and India are playing in the other semi-final.its a big deal.at the office you every once in awhile i'd hear cheers erupt when something good happened (from the whole neighborhood)on my walk home i passed a few places where men were

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-17240900904516656702011-03-26T07:27:00.002-05:002011-03-26T07:37:04.467-05:00

we've had a someone volunteering at sari bari for the past month. she's been a great help in some admin work - and a beautiful set of spare hands...willing to do whatever is asked of her. and while she doesn't speak any bangla - she has such a beautiful spirit...she's had lunch with the ladies every day - and slowly, despite the language barrier the ladies have embraced her.friday was her last

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-47010202796916479502011-03-22T05:28:00.002-05:002011-03-22T05:40:33.390-05:00

I've been having lots of stress dreams the past week or so. you know...the sort of dreams where you're trying to solve a problem the whole time and you just can't solve it? or your plans go desperately wrong?my dreams have had all sorts of different topics - but they've all been stressful! (last week was a really full, and stressful week at the office....for lots of reasons, that are not nearly

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-37981829079713897992011-03-13T11:18:00.002-05:002011-03-13T11:30:00.312-05:00

seems like its been a long time since i blogged.it's been a crazy few weeks...and a really crazy week.my job of "shipping coordinator" at Sari Bari ebbs and flows - really busy for about 2 weeks...and then slow for 2 weeks. I'm in the middle of the busy weeks. and as if that isn't enough...we had a discovery team here this week - which is wonderful, but also tiringwe had lots of other visitors at

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-61249849795534279752011-03-07T11:31:00.002-05:002011-03-07T11:36:29.193-05:00

At the end of February, Sari Bari celebrated its fifth birthday. In 2006, three women in one small room began sewing for freedom; they are now joined by over seventy women in three different locations, all with the same pursuit. If that's not reason to celebrate, we don't know what is! To invite you into our celebration, we are offering 20% off all your Sari Bari purchases during the

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-16951676491578844742011-03-05T06:33:00.002-05:002011-03-05T06:37:34.133-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-69516578206433960442011-03-03T11:59:00.002-05:002011-03-03T12:02:19.739-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-79018561607146459232011-02-21T03:26:00.002-05:002011-02-21T03:39:08.134-05:00

Yesterday was Sari Bari's 5th Birthday.amazing.To celebrate...we're closing Sari Bari for the week - and taking all the ladies to Darjeeling.They haven't experienced cold weather like that.They haven't seen mountains.we got an absolutely incredible deal on our hotel...and all the ladies are going to feel like fancy business women when we get there.we're going to have a party. and play games. (

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-17670908203089130602011-02-20T02:35:00.002-05:002011-02-20T02:55:56.049-05:00

here, going to church is a real discipline. I don't think i've ever had to be so disciplined about choosing to go to church. there are a lot of reasons...i haven't found a church that i'm really really excited about partnering with, public transportation doesn't run at Sundays, church is early, Sunday is often my only day to stay holed up in my flat, and not have to engage a city that i usually

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-75398026498423023752011-02-18T10:59:00.002-05:002011-02-18T11:07:57.938-05:00

i've been all over the map recently in terms of how i feel about my language acquisition. i know its normal. i know it takes a long time. i know i'm generally doing really well...it just doesn't always feel like it.last week one of my friends was upset - obviously...and she was looking me in the eye and telling me something...and i had absolutely no idea what she was saying. i could pick up bits

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-83096269745909922602011-02-17T11:19:00.000-05:002011-02-17T11:20:42.146-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-66772127692911029592011-02-16T11:53:00.002-05:002011-02-16T12:10:46.767-05:00

i realized that i needed to write a prayer letter 2 days before it was due.unfortunately for me, that day (Monday) was very full of stuff that had to be done...so i didn't get to start writing til the day it was due (this is far from my best case scenario)....so i somewhat jokingly (but there's a bit of truth in every joke) asked my friend Merilee to write my prayer letter for me (i've asked her

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-531117619769498722011-02-12T05:08:00.003-05:002011-02-12T05:19:56.031-05:00

Our neighbors downstairs had a baby about a month ago. she's precious. and tiny. so tiny (she was just under 5lbs at birth).they've been wanting a baby for years. The mom is in her mid-30's...and they've been married for a long time - and no children.their hearts longed for a child.they waited and waited...and waited.and then seeming against all odds, she got pregnant. it was a rough pregnancy.

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-58400770552945072902011-02-05T00:27:00.000-05:002011-02-05T00:30:50.421-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-52326130014739151092011-02-04T00:27:00.003-05:002011-02-04T04:47:15.377-05:00

this morning we got up early and went to the flower market.we bought 2500 sunflowers.tonight we will walk through the gatch - and give them to the women who work there.shundor phul, shundor meyer jonno - a beautiful flower for a beautiful woman.yesterday i went "visiting" in the gatch. we visited a lady who is a long time friend of the community. we used to visit her room when i was on my servant

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-90966807084760530332011-01-30T03:20:00.002-05:002011-01-30T03:42:23.358-05:00

the metro in kolkata doesn't open until 2pm on sunday. this is very inconvenient.its hard enough for me to convince myself that its a good idea to get up early enough to make it to church at 8:30am. i know it feeds my soul - but so many Sundays i wrestle with the tension that BOTH my soul AND my body are tired. how do i take care of both?! and if the metro was running it would be so much easier

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-59588256532688475322011-01-28T04:38:00.002-05:002011-01-28T04:43:59.216-05:00

...sometimes the answer is so simple (not always...but sometimes!).i'm trying to get a handle on training at sari bari. what is going on...what resources are already available...thinking of how to train teachers...how to set up systems to make sure things don't fall in the cracks.currently we have a group of ladies (about 6) at one of our units who have finished the basic curriculum books they

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-5831936934127458102011-01-26T07:59:00.002-05:002011-01-26T08:18:09.356-05:00

so i'm in the middle of this transition - out of my "formation year" and into a new normal - with responsibilities and projects that are mine to invest in. things i need to get done...more hours of work...less time at home...less bangla study - there are lots of changes!i've alluded to this a bit - but haven't had the emotional energy to write more than that. one of the changes is a new schedule.

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-54515041909383266592011-01-25T12:55:00.002-05:002011-01-25T13:17:04.621-05:00

my friend Wendy says that when you're overseas "the days are long, but the weeks are short." and she is so right. i've thought that over and over.almost every friday i think, "man, where did this week go" and at the same time, most days, in the middle of the day i think, "man, this is a long day"the way my new schedule is, i have really long days on monday and thursday (and today was a bonus long

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-30017340175822074942011-01-23T11:16:00.003-05:002011-01-23T11:41:28.448-05:00

...i just finished uploading some pictures to facebook.we had a party last night.We have an intern here (Adam) until the end of Feb, and it was his birthday...so of course we had a party. we had homemade pizza, and breadsticks, veggies and dip...and we played games and danced and laughed and had a good time....and we took lots of fun picturesso then i got to thinking, they say a picture is worth

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-32979437437209883652011-01-22T05:30:00.000-05:002011-01-22T05:30:00.484-05:00

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Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-3120026572705690582011-01-21T07:34:00.003-05:002011-01-21T07:46:18.452-05:00

yesterday i was going to the metro - and i saw a man in a business suit...carrying a pink plastic lunchbox...and its not an overly strange sight.sheila called me the other day to tell me that she saw an adult man wearing a winnie the pooh sweater (maybe it was a hat)...and bright pink wind pants.when i go first thing in the morning to our production unit in the south, i leave earlier than i "need

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-63357966730600570862011-01-17T13:38:00.001-05:002011-01-17T13:40:46.653-05:00

<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-5675898995410053242011-01-09T03:39:00.002-05:002011-01-09T04:06:56.136-05:00

My birthday was friday - and i feel so celebrated.the day started with staff prayer...a regular friday occurance...but we had 2 dishes of baked oatmeal on friday...cause sheila and sarah both wanted to start the day off in a special way...2 dishes of baked oatmeal...an outward symbol of the abundance of love that i receive from this community.Friday evening we went to the airport to pick up

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-89440382233903807742011-01-06T00:03:00.003-05:002011-01-06T00:09:14.275-05:00

as i child i remember getting home from many vacations and trips to see family, and my mom or dad would say, "East, West, home is best." and its true.it was good to be in Thailand. really, it was amazing - but there is just something about being home. even when home isn't an island beach. even when home is a place without cheeseburgers, 7-eleven stores, starbucks. even when home is a place where

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-16700490411823588792011-01-04T06:40:00.002-05:002011-01-04T09:49:45.835-05:00

merry christmas...and happy new year.i just got back from a trip to Thailand. we left the day after Christmas.we had a regional retreat...and it was incredible.Christmas was good and beautiful...and really hard in some ways (to be honest).my brain is all over the map - not quite sure what i'm thinking/feeling or should write about...so one of the things that i've been working on/growing into is "

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-25348719654716545872010-12-23T23:35:00.003-05:002010-12-23T23:51:34.716-05:00

Its been a full week of great celebrations...here are some snapshots of a few of them. you can also view more pictures at the following links (you don't have to have a facebook account to view them) - after i started uploading them i realized they're kind of backwards in chronological order...oh well...WMF Christmas PartySari Bari Christmas PartyPictures from the Sari Bari BlogI really

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-73975571921405244512010-12-20T12:39:00.003-05:002010-12-20T12:44:37.785-05:00

today i was walking down the road and a man said "hello" to me (cultural sidenote: its really inappropriate for a man to talk with a woman that he doesn't know).so he says "Hello" and i don't respond to him, i just keep walking.then i overhear his friend say to him in Bengali, "she doesn't understand Bengali, that's why she walked away"i'm not exactly sure how my ability or inability to

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-64984218214263916422010-12-17T11:14:00.002-05:002010-12-17T11:20:01.068-05:00

the holiday season is in full swing...here's what i've got going on the next week or so - its pretty exciting!tomorrow - WMF Christmas party...at our place...gonna be so funSunday - Party with our friend Emma, and then a Christmas caroling serviceWednesday (Dec 22) - Sari Bari Christmas party at the prevention unit (but i don't think i can go...i'm disappointed about that)Thursday(Dec 23) - Sari

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-22168238788875244882010-12-16T01:25:00.002-05:002010-12-16T01:53:14.356-05:00

i've had an interesting couple days in Kolkata (complete with being so tired i've chosen not to get online at all...which was actually quite nice - after all, i do have a love/hate relationship with the internet...)On Tuesday i was at Sari Bari. the indoor space was full (ladies were starting new blankets, which takes up lots of room)...so me, and 3 others ended up sitting outside on a mat,

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-3151558988072951792010-12-13T01:00:00.000-05:002010-12-13T01:00:00.914-05:00

This scary mama likes to hang out here...which is about 15 feet from my bedroom window. she has a nest on the veranda below ours - and watches it...well, like a hawk. she sits here and makes that hawk sound - and swoops any crows that get near her nest - and any people who happen to be on our veranda...my hope is that she'll at least keep the crows off the veranda (although, she'll also keep us

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-37189501299898534962010-12-12T04:14:00.002-05:002010-12-12T04:18:46.783-05:00

went to a church's children's christmas program this morning. it was beautiful. lots of kids singing songs about Emmanuel coming.kids dressed up to act out the story. kids with foil crowns, their mom's clothes as capes (for the kings), foil angel wings, and even little sheep. it was beautiful.kids in their fanciest clothes.simple. and beautiful. and sacred.i loved it.i kept hoping one of the

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-5537647387851916912010-12-10T01:02:00.002-05:002010-12-10T01:09:19.651-05:00

Here are some blog posts that i think are amazing - and i'd love for you to read. sometimes (often) others say things much better than i do...Sarah wrote these. you can just click the link to her blog...Finding Restoration, Hope, and PurposeForeverKristin Keen, who was on staff here for 5 years wrote this one. she came to visit over thanksgiving.Celebrationit's beautiful. i love when she talks

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-58090838076163483902010-12-07T09:27:00.002-05:002010-12-07T10:29:44.470-05:00

i can't remember if i "told you" - but one of the things that changed in me this summer when i was in the states was that i feel like joy was restored to my heart (in ways that i didn't know i needed it...and didn't realize it was missing" since then i've been working to guard that joy. looking for joy. finding it in the strangest places.i usually have brightly colored toe nails (purple,

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-32224112031810544802010-12-05T01:55:00.002-05:002010-12-05T01:59:29.782-05:00

yesterday we busted out our Christmas decorations. a bit ghetto, yes...fully of Christmas joy...yes.i love our little tree...our lights...beth's wreath she made - and of course, the Christmas wishes from my nieces - prominently displayed with red and green shiny garland.i tried to buy some more lights yesterday...but i failed...today is a new day, and we've got our eyes set on the prize!c

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1454573996399690787.post-62286406227459386832010-12-03T02:07:00.000-05:002010-12-03T02:08:51.845-05:00

Melissa/Melhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08311005744578579612noreply@blogger.com1