Praise God. Please forgive me for not being regular with my updates, but these days I feel pretty lazy to do anything, but eat and catch up on any sleep that I get and generally laze around. Overall God is good to me and I am doing fine.

Last time I was telling you about how I got into a woman’s bible study group amidst all that was happening in my life. Further in my testimony…

 At work, there were talks of major reorganization, which meant that some of us were to lose our jobs.  Knowing my boss’s view about me I knew for sure that she would not hesitate to axe me out. However I kept myself steadfast in prayer. But still I was putting my own thoughts into everything instead of submitting everything to God.  So I wrote my exams amidst all this chaos. 

However going to the bible study kind of settled me somewhat.  I started realizing the power of prayer more than ever.  I stopped nagging my husband and instead started praying for him.  That provided me a lot of solace, we had lesser arguments. Now it was time for my c-section operation, and I got geared up for the same.  My mother in law was with me at that time, so it was comforting.  They gave me a spinal anesthesia hip down, as they usually do not give a General one because it might distress the baby.  But my body did not accept it and they had to give me a general one.  That was not the end of it though. 

Sometimes with spinal anesthesia in rare cases the patients develop something called a spinal headache.  Well that rare case turned out to be me, so right after the surgery, I started having the most excruciating headache.  The pain spread until my shoulders, and I could not lift my head.  It was horrible.  The remedy was that I had to drink at least 3-5 litres of water to wash away the toxins and that was the only way.  So here I was all stitched up not getting pain medication and having to drink water and visit the bathroom every hour or so.  I almost died and it was only God that kept me going.                 

Well, that is it for now.  Come back next week for more.  Till then enjoy this wonderful and healthy life that God has given us.   

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

Jodhpurs - Long riding breeches, tight from the knee to ankle, named after the ancient city, Jodhpur in the state of Rajasthan in North India. Men in this state wear trousers akin to riding breeches, hence the name 'jodhpurs'.

God is good. I know that some of you have been wondering where I went, well let me begin with the good news.  I am expecting my third child (another testimony in itself) and with the grace of God progressing well in the pregnancy and due in October. The reason I took a break from writing was I was not feeling upto it.  But now summer is here, my favourite season, and I am back with a load of stuff to write about. 

Now I hope you all remember about the last testimony I was writing about.  Well let me refresh your memory, this was about the time just before God brought me here to USA. It is about how God carried me through a tough time of dealing with my boss.  So continuing further with that here it is… 

I just looked at her and said that I had no clue about this (my second pregnancy) up until the day I came back and walked out of her room feeling awful…and then it was the performance evaluation time, so I had to ask her for her review.  What she told me shocked me out my wits.  She said that she had had great plans for my career but now that I had gone and gotten myself pregnant (like I did something wrong), there is not much that can be done, and that I have kind of cut my career path and blah blah blah. So I knew that she is not going to give me that promotion that was due to me much less support me during my pregnancy. So all I could do was pray about it.  I came back home and discussed about my office woes to my mother in law and she told me a wonderful thing.  She said every time your boss tells you something terrible, you just rebuke the satan out her and cover her with the blood of Jesus.  Initially I wondered whether this is going to work or not.  But I tried it hesitantly at first, and let me tell you it was like a medicine.  Not that she stopped saying terrible things to me, but I felt better, like God was sitting with me, and telling me we will fight this together.  I cannot tell you the peace I felt. 

Meanwhile I had some exams to write (I was also pursuing my MBA) and she would not let me take days off, so I was totally stressed out throughout the pregnancy.  And then we found out that I had to have a c-section as the baby had cords around the neck, and she would have come out premature at 36 weeks, thankfully no incubator.  So it was a major stressful time for us.  My husband’s career was not going great guns, and we were struggling as a couple in our spiritual life.  When this was happening, I started going to a women’s bible study, wherein we were referring to a book which has 25 chapters, and each chapter had an exercise at the end.  It was all about living a practical Christian life, applying the bible to your everyday life.  Sometimes we feel that it is difficult to live such a righteous life, simply because we are humans and external factors make us vulnerable to anger, gossip etc.  So this book told us how to overcome all that and be in constant step with God.                 

Now I would like rest here for now, next week I will tell you how this bible study changed my life dramatically.  Till then God bless you, take care. Have a wonderful week ahead.              

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

Pajamas/pyjama - A lose fitting garment consisting of trousers and a jacket, worn for sleeping or lounging, often used in plural.
Hindi paijama - loose fitting trousers, from Persian pai- leg + jamah - garment

(Happy New Year in Hindi).  I am so grateful and thankful to God for seeing me through one more year, safely, happily without a single moment of unrest.  God is indeed good.   

Since I ended my last testimony I have been wondering what to write.  To write or not to write is the question.  Well after pondering over that question for some time I decided to write.

Well, I am going to share small testimonies every week.  This one is about the time when I was working in India.  After 4 years of working in one department I moved to Human Resources, and my boss was a female.  I believe in forming a good rapport with the people I work with especially my boss.  So I set about doing that in my new assignment.  However from day one she did not care too much about me.  In retrospect I think she was insecure, I wonder why though.  She was a manager and I was not even close.   Anyway since she was a tricky person to work with, I did my best not to leave any room for mistakes, because she would just blow things out of proportion. 

                Two months into the assignment, I was given the opportunity to come to US for some training for 4 weeks.  I was not too keen, but come I had to as I was explicitly asked to come by my boss.  I had rather not borne her wrath, so I packed my bags landed here.  From day one I was feeling terrible, like I felt really sick, I did not feel like eating (I am a strict vegetarian). This was my first trip outside of India, so I felt like a country bumpkin. I did not know what foods contained what, I could not survive on pizza alone.  So I bought milk and half the time drank milk when I felt hungry.               

Anyway at the end of my training I was flying out from San Francisco where one of my uncles lived, so I went there and ate all the Indian food I could.  When I landed in India, I was still feeling sick so I went to see my doc, who confirmed that I was carrying, 4 weeks.  I was happy and excited.               

                I went to work the next day and reported all about the training to  my boss and also mentioned my newfound joy. Much to my surprise, she asked me are you sure? And not in a happy way.  I looked at her and said that I am pretty sure.  Then she had the nerve to ask me if I had known this fact all the time before I left for US, and I was confused with the question.  Then she hinted that I wanted to go to US so desperately that I hid this fact from her.  Anyway by that time I was too furious to even look straight at her and answer.  I just looked at her and said that I had no clue about this up until the day I came back and walked out of her room feeling awful. 

                After a few hours she summoned me in her room again for further harassing questions…to be continued. 

                You must read this testimony through, because God was with me like a pillar throughout the time.  I don’t know what I would have done had it not been for God, who was on my side.         

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

Cummerbund - A broad sash, especially one that is pleated lengthwise & worn as an article of formal

dress, as with dinner jacket.

Hindi & Urdu - kamarband, from Persian kamar- waist + bandi- band.

The sash was formally worn in the Indian subcontinent by domestic workers and low status office workers.

I have been having wonderful fellowship lately.  I am almost overwhelmed by God’s love.  It is indeed a joy to be in Christ. 

The transformation in my testimony…   

There was a large crowd of people and I was like Oh! Boy they are going to click pictures and make a big deal about it all.  Little did I know that they were are gathered to see another soul get saved.  So it proceeded….to be continued.  

So it was like a procession…I was led to a small tank of water.  The weather was still cold and so was the water in the tank.  Anyway, I went in the water with the Pastor.  He prayed and asked me whether I was willing to accept Christ in my life.  I nodded…not realizing the magnitude of the moment. 

I was dunked in the water.  I thought I would drown and die…but was relieved when I came up.  Water had entered my nose and ears and I was feeling miserable and cold.  I was prayed upon and the crowd around the tank was clapping, shouting “hallelujah!” and praying like it was Independence Day and there were firecrackers in the sky.   

While all this was happening, I was thinking, “is this all it takes to be a born again?”  I mean, I just soaked myself in water, and now I am supposed to be a different person?With a whole new religion?  I really doubted it.  I know that one does not change until one wills to.  I was not willing to change then.  Now of course it is a different story. 

Anyway, after the water baptism, I quickly pulled out my dry clothes (remember the similar one), and changed, and then we went to a prayer hall where worship, prayer and then my testimony would take place.  All this took place so quickly that I had no time to reflect upon it.  Moreover, I was more worried that when I went home, someone would ask me why I was wearing a different dress.               

After everything was over, I came home dreading each moment.  But God was in control.  No one noticed, and life was as usual.  But I was different and that will never change. 

So there we have reached the end of my testimony as to how I became born again.  I have many more testimonies to share.  Each moment is a miracle by God in my life.                           

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day:   

Bandana (bandanna) - A large handkerchief usually figured and brightly colored. 

Portuguese from, Hindi bandhunu (tie dyeing) and bandhana (to tie): from Sanskrit bhandhana tying. 

This word was probably absorbed to Portuguese, when the Portuguese ruled over Goa, Bombay during

the early part of the 17th century, and from Portuguese was absorbed to English.

The yule log is on.  Only eighteen more days till Christmas.  This is my third Christmas in the United States and it just seems like I came here yesterday…time flies.  Ironically, it also seems like I have known the people in my church for years…and that is because they are such warm people.  I am so thankful and grateful for such a wonderful fellowship. 

Now for more of my story…the last days of singlehood…   

“That was one of THE most toughest times in my life.  There was nobody that I could turn to for advise.  I was truly alone.  …to be continued.” 

It was then that I decided that I would do this only for Mathew…because I loved him.

The next day I was to meet Mathew and tell him about my decision.  Well, I had made the biggest decision in my life and was about to tell him.  I am sure he was a nervous wreck, and when I actually saw him, he didn’t let it be known.  He is very dignified about these things.  He seldom screams or gets anxious about things. 

There is a certain serenity about him that is so…good.  I looked him straight in the eye and I told him, “I am not happy with this decision, but I will do it just for you”.  Boy, I could see he heaved a sigh of relief :)  But then that was it.  I did it just for him, not because I really believed that Christ was the answer.  I did it so that my kids would not be confused about their faith.  I did not want them to go to the temple AND church and then ask me questions about whether or not both, hindu gods and the Christian God, are both Gods and that they were both good.  At least this way, all I would have to do is raise them as Christians.   

Now that I had announced to him that I was ready to take water baptism, a date had to be set for “the” day.  I told him that it would have to be done without the knowledge of my family and that I would still go on living as nothing had changed till we got married.  It seems simple…but those few months were really difficult.  I was so confused, scared and sometimes had doubts about the whole thing. 

Anyway, the day for my water baptism was set in February 1997.  I remember that it was a holiday.  Back then, I had two salwars which were similar, same color, but different prints or something.  So I packed one in my handbag and wore the other…and told my folks that I am just going out for a drive and will be back in a couple of hours. 

I had no clue what was going to happen. We went to a place called Grace Bible College – where Mathew and his mom were present.  There was a large crowd of people…and I was like “Oh!”  Boy, are they going to click pictures and make a big deal about it all?  Little did I know that they were all gathered around to see another soul get saved.  So it proceeded….to be continued. 

It is a joy to know the Lord.  To know that he loves you even when you have not been that good.  That is a great incentive to be good.  Unconditional love is what Jesus has for us, we should strive to have that for him too.  Take care. 

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

Curry - A heavily spiced sauce or relish made with curry powder and eaten with rice, meat, fish or other food. A dish seasoned with curry powder - a mixture of various spices. Tamil - kari (meat) 

Good Day.  Monday…after a long Thanksgiving weekend.  I am sure all of you had plenty to thank God for.  I hope all of you did get to spend time with loved ones and friends.  Let’s not forget that God is all the family you need and he was with everyone of us.  I thank all of you out there for your wonderful prayers and wishes.

Gear up for the real test in my testimony… 

My husband gave me a choice that I was not prepared for…to be continued.  My aunt’s marriage was finally fixed.  Before it took place, I was asked one last time by my folks whether I still intended to marry Mathew.  I think they were hoping a change of heart, but I was made of sterner stuff than that.  I stood my ground and told them that I intended to get married to Mathew, and that there was no change in my decision.  Well, so my aunt’s wedding took place.  Both of my uncles were now working in the USA and came to India to attend my aunt’s (their sister) wedding.  Now they were actually waiting for me to announce my date.  I had no clue how the situation would be, (whether anyone from my house would attend my wedding or not).  I used to get so sad thinking about it. 

Here Mathew’s folks were asking him about the my status.  So one day before he could drop me home, he gave me an ultimatum.  He said, “we can only get married if you take water baptism, so will you?”  I was so taken aback by his stance on this, and I got angry.  I just looked at him and asked him back, “So if I say that I will only take water baptism after we get married, you will not marry me?”, to which he said, “No, because if you are not a Christian, I cannot marry you.”   

Full stop. 

I was hurt because I thought love was unconditional, and here I was being asked to make one of the most important choices in my life.  For a moment I thought I should just say no and walk away from it all…and tell him that I will not take any steps toward baptism just for the sake of doing it.   

But I don’t know what happened because I just said, “I will think about this and get back to you about my decision”.  This time he was taken aback, he had expected and hoped for me to say yes.  

I came back home and sat for hours pondering over the question.  I really wondered whether it was worth it for me to give up everything--my family and the beliefs that I grew up with, whether I was willing to leave it all and accept something that I had no clue about.  I wondered whether I would ever be able to weather this steep transition.  That was one of THE most toughest times in my life.  There was nobody that I could turn to for advise.  I was truly alone.  …to be continued. 

I’m looking forward to plum cakes, testimonies, shopping, exchanging gifts, but most of all being prepared for the Lord’s coming. 

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

Teak - hard durable timbre used in shipbuilding and for making furniture. The large deciduous tree native to India and South East Asia, which yields this timber.

From Portuguese teca, from Tamil Tamil/Malayalam tekka

It is the festive season again.  It was Diwali sometime back, and in India it would have been quite a sight to see.  Not to forget the goodies and the sweets.  Woe is me!  I really miss home for all these things.  The festive season is one of the best times in India.  The smells, the colors, the fellowship.  Well, I guess I could rub off some of it here for the season, what with Thanksgiving and Christmas around the bend.  I love the feeling of warmth and togetherness in the family that comes with festivals.  Another wonderful reason to thank God for his mercies bestowed upon us.  Truly God is great.

Get under a quilt and curl up with some warm cider and hear my testimony… 

…Mind you, I had not yet taken water baptism, that is yet another episode.  Now that everything was clear at home, as to what I was going to do, (of course, according to them, I was up to no good!  Nope, no good at all!) and who the mystery man was who picked me up and dropped me off,  I sighed a big sigh of relief.  But now there was a kind of tension at home.  It was like they were secretly praying for a change of heart within me.  I could totally empathize with them.  Here I was the little girl they saw come into this world.  I was raised in front of them and all of a sudden one day I told them I found a match for myself and I am willing to leave all of them…for him.  I am sure they were heartbroken, wondering whether this man is worthy of me.  They had my well being in mind and all the opposition was not for any other reason but had to do with my happiness.  But God had other plans for me, and he wanted me to come under his wings.  I am so grateful to God for that.   

So everything was going on as usual.  They kept asking me when I planned to get married and I would reply, “soon”.  Meanwhile, my hubby and I were wondering, how in the world we would this marriage afoot.  We did not have a penny worth of savings.  And we knew we weren’t going to get any financial help from my side, and so we decided we will not ask his parents either.  

While all of this was going on, his family was pressurizing him about me taking water baptism.  There is this quality about my husband that I have come to cherish.  He always takes the side of the accused.  So when his folks were drilling him about my accepting Christ, he was actually defending me and explaining how I needed time to really accept the Lord for myself and not for my husband.  

I was actually waiting for my aunt’s wedding to take place before we could tie the knot. Everything was hunky dory until one day my husband gave me a choice that I was not prepared for…..to be continued.                 

God is so good to me.  He leads and guides me in every step of my life.  I am so grateful and thankful for his presence in my life.  I cannot imagine a life without him.  I hope this year he brings prosperity, peace and blessings to one and all. 

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

Swastika - The emblem of the Nazi Germany, officially adopted in 1935.

In Buddhism and Hinduism, a religious symbol representing noble qualities and good luck.

An ancient cosmic symbol formed by a Greek cross with ends of the arms bent at right angles either clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.  Sanskrit svastika - sign of good luck: Svast - well being

I hope you all observed Veteran’s Day and resolved towards peace.  We need to remember the wars that were fought to keep our freedom intact.  We should be empathetic towards the war veterans.  They fought a good fight.  God bless all.

Now for the war that was brewing in my testimony… 

Then the next day, I was summoned by my folks…to be continued.  Well I sat down in the center of the room and around me were my aunt, uncle, grandma and grandpa.  Spectators included my mother’s youngest sister (technically my aunt but just 4 years older, so much more like friend), and my younger sister and brother (who were secretly happy that I was going get the scolding of my life, but sad at the same time).  So questions were hurled at me from left, right and center.  I defended myself bravely, answering each with gusto.  One question posed was, “both of you together make 5000 rupees (roughly $ 100) a month, how in the world do you expect to settle down???”  I being the optimist and young blood, answered with élan, “Well we love each other and will find a way to do that” (I patted myself on the back. In my mind of course). Another question went like this, “Edi, they eat fish everyday and I know (this one from my grandma who raised me) you cannot even stand the smell, even when you passed by the house where it was being cooked.” 

Well I responded, “They are very nice people and they will keep that in mind when they cooking”.  So it went on, and as a conclusion I was told, “Well that is fine and you seem to have made up your mind, so please tell us when you are getting married, and that day we will bid you goodbye.”  (Like I was going to stay there forever anyway!)  I was devastated, the reality of the whole situation hit me.  I went to my room and started howling and crying like my heart had exploded or something.  I felt a lump in my throat every time I thought about that day.  

                However, I could not turn back now, and decided that I should start preparing for my marriage as I was not going to get any support from my family.  It was hard, not monetarily, but emotionally.  I did everything alone, I felt so distant.  But all through this, God was giving me the strength.  Mind you, I had not yet taken water baptism, that is yet another episode. 

~~~ 

I doodle a lot, mostly patterns, so this year I thought of putting that habit to some better use and so I decided that I will make hand drawn cards for the season, for sale.  But there is a catch, only to connoisseurs of art can buy my cards, and there will only be a limited number of sets.  Of course my closest friends and family will also receive such a card, which they can keep for years.  

~~~ 

                I have told you time and again how God answers all my prayers, even the unspoken ones.  But I realized that although I pray to God and try to put him first in everything, at times in mundane things I take charge right after I prayed to God to do so.  For example, the other day I was waiting at the metro station for the train to arrive and arrive it did, but packed.  So I did a quick prayer “Dear God, please let me have a seat, I am really tired today, thank you Lord, Amen.”  Now since I had prayed to God, I should have just stepped into the train not worrying about it because he would have surely found me a seat.  But instead I let the train go and waited for the next one.  Involuntarily, I made the decision that since the train was packed I will not get a seat.  I totally took charge.  Oh!  The follies I commit.  Then and there I asked God to forgive me and prayed to God to give me grace to have faith in him wholly, even in my subconscious.  To fully adore him and be devoted. 

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

Yoga - A Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which includes breath control, simple meditation and the adoption of specific body postures widely practiced for relaxation.  Sanskrit, literally meaning 'union', referring to the union of the mind, body and spirit.

Greetings.  I am back from having my first sleepover.  Yeah!  You heard it right, this was my first sleepover (ever!) with a friend.  It was fun, and I am wearing her clothes and not feeling quite like myself today.  But the important thing is that everyone in her family was so nice to me…and that to me is God’s love.  I could see Christ in each of them.  There was so much love.  Oh!  The joys of fellowship…(and sleepovers!)

Anyway, now to move ahead with my testimony… 

That evening, he picked me up as usual, and we reached my home…my stomach was churning and I was so scared, I thought if I uttered anything I would die…to be continued.  So he parked his scooter and both of us entered my house like we were some goons ready to rob a bank and scoot.  My uncle and gramps were in the living room waiting for us.  They made both of us sit across them (not together mind you).  Then my uncle asked my hubby “So what are your plans?”.  There was a pause, and I think he was confused about the question, and before he could conjure up any answer, I blurted out saying that we are in love with each other and plan to get married.  I think my uncle and gramps were appalled at my brazen behavior, so my uncle looked at my gramps and said, “Did she discuss any such thing with you, are you aware of this situation?”  And, of course my gramps said, “Not at all, I have no clue what she is talking about!  That was it. 

They both smiled at Mathew and said “ We will think about it and let you know about our decision.  Please don’t leave without having dinner.”  I think by that time, my husband was speechless and hunger-less because he did not eat a morsel of what was served to him.  He just waved bye and sped like there was no tomorrow.  Then the next day , I was summoned by my folks…..to be continued. 

                BTW, my hubby was so shocked at the way I spoke.  He thought I would be afraid; however it dawned on him as to the kind of person I am.  He was both proud and scared.  But the important thing is that he was on my side. 

                The weather is getting colder.  This time around I have decided to actually enjoy the winter.  Make an effort to be more cheerful so that I can get through the snowy months like a breeze.  The cold itself does not bother me much, as much as adding layers of clothes.  It is cumbersome and so heavy, just when I need to lose some, here I am adding the extra pounds with that black overcoat.  Well, at least we have something to stay warm, think about millions who do not have that.  Pray for them, I will too.   

                If you have not spoken God yet, go have that conversation with God, and be blessed.  Amen. 

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

Nirvana - The ineffable ultimate in which one has attained disinterested wisdom and compassion.  A transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire now sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma. It represents the final goal in Buddhism.  

A state of perfect happiness. 

From Sanskrit nirvana, nirva -be extinguished + nis -out + va - to blow

I am back from my vacation.  All fresh and pepped up.  The past week has been good, I came to realize how God protects us and is with us at all times.  I wonder why sometimes we cannot return that with the same devotion. 

And here goes my testimony… 

Boy!  That took a load off me but I was not prepared for what came next…to be continued…

So I braved and told them about Mathew.  But the fact remained that I had to bring home the person  who had dropped me home.  You see, to my folks it did not matter who it was because it my culture it was almost unheard of choosing your own life partner.  The only hope in such situations (where you choose your own) was if the boy/girl was from the same caste, sub caste etc.  On that count, I was bordering on sacrilage.  He was a Syrian Christian, not an Iyer Brahmin boy, for that matter not even a Hindu.  Big trouble.  So I invited my dear future husband to meet with my uncle and Gramps.  He almost spat out the coffee as I was extending this invitation.  He had no clue that this sighting of my uncle would lead to such a meeting.  But meet he had to. 

Those who know me will also know that I like to take charge of the situation with great gusto, so I told bravely told him that all he had to do was just make an appearance and I will answer all the questions.  The look he gave me was, “this girl is crazy”, but he also trusted me, so he said “alright, lets brave it together”.  That evening, as usual, Mathew picked me up and we reached my home…..my stomach was churning and I was so scared, I thought if I uttered anything I would die…...to be continued.  

Now in retrospect, I see how God worked through all this.  It almost seems like He just prepared the steps for me, there was absolutely no trial in the real sense, and whatever little I could attribute to as a trial was all that I had in my mind.  So in a way, there was no trial at all, only triumphs.  Mmmm!  That is a thought to mull over. 

Fall is about to come to a close.  We have already started to get some rain, the weather is getting colder, so I guess winter is not that far off.  I hope all of you have something warm, if not then let me know and I will pray to God and his love will fill you with all the warmth that you need.  In fact, in a pilot ladies meeting, we decided that we will cultivate a hot heart for Christ, pray for one another and be united in Christ.  It was a good feeling, we all felt a belonging.  Christ was there.  

                On that cool note, or hot you decide, TTFN (ta ta for now)!

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

dharma - A Buddhist principle and ultimate truth. Social custom and right behavior.

     Hindu moral law.
     Hindi dharma, from Sanskrit

Sowkiyama (Is everything well with you?), 

                It is the second Monday in October.  I really love October.  It is one of the nicest times of the year anywhere in the world.  Also one of the happening months, conferences, seminars, vacations, the works.  At least for me and my family….we are planning on a vacation.  I am praying to God that everything works out well.  

Toward victory in my testimony… 

I was mortified, and I was already scheming explanations that I would give if I was questioned about it, and questioned I would be… to be continued.  So I went home,  freshened up and walked into the living room casually with my cup of coffee, (my heart was pounding so fast, I thought it would come tearing out).  As expected, my uncle asked me in a very authoritative tone, “who was that dropping you?” (he knew the answer, but wanted me to come out with the truth).  And in that moment I was so petrified that I could not tell him the truth, so I just told them it was a guy who I worked with and gave a random name.  Well, what I was not prepared for was the his second comment.  He told me to bring that colleague home the next day.  I was trapped.  I had to tell him the truth or I would be branded a liar.  I said okay and then moved away to watch TV.  But the images on the screen in front of me were a blur as my mind was racing thinking about the situation.  After an hour I mustered the courage to go to my uncle and tell him that it was not a colleague, it was Mathew, the man I loved and wanted to get married to….boy that took a load off me, but I was not prepared for what came next…to be continued. 

                I read something about weight watching on IPF.  I have been battling the bulge for sometime without putting up any resistance and of course in such situations the bulge wins, as it has with me too.  I keep reminding myself that I must exercise, but I can never get around doing that, then I read about the 10,000 Steps Program (I know it sounds so clichéd), and I thought that is not a big task.  So I have decided to start monitoring my walking and soon I will be doing 10,000 steps a day.  For info here is the website http://www.shapeup.org/10000steps.html.  Before embarking on any such project please do read about it.   

God is good, all the time.  

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

Pundit - A learned person. A source of opinion. A critic. "a political pundit"

Hindi pandit - a learned man, from Sanskrit panditah - learned scholar, perhaps from Dravidian origin.

I hope all of you are safe and that Hurricanes Frances and Ivan did not harm you in any way.  It is sad for the people who have been harmed and we should pray for them.  It is at times like these that I realize (time and again) that man is nothing against God’s power.  When Nature’s fury is let loose on us, what good is this progress, the only thing that can keep us safe is God’s love, hence to reiterate the fact that we should be in tune with God all the time. 

More of my testimony… 

And then we had the biggest fight and it seemed that it might be Splitsville for us… to be continued…  Well it was huge!  (I will not bore you with details), but he called it off.  He just could not bear it and he said that we are off.  I just did not know what to do and I wept like a river.  But were it not for our love, we would have split.  Although he said that it was off, we realized that love was being together in all situations and this was a test and we passed.  Meanwhile, my folks were pressurizing me about marriage, they suspected something, but till I did not come out with it they were not going to ask me.  There were cold wars at home every time I would come back after meeting him.  One day, my uncle saw me riding the motorbike with him.  It was really dramatic, my uncle was in the car and I was pillion riding, and our eyes met for a brief second, before our motorbike sped off.  I was mortified, and was already scheming explanations that I would give if I was questioned about it, and questioned I would be… to be continued.

Fall, it is such a beautiful season of the year.  Not too cold, but cool.  Not too hot, but warm. Just the right weather, a drizzle here and soak there.  The sun never felt better or beautiful.  No wonder all artists paint fall sometime in their life.  I hope to do so too, not that I am a great artist or anything, but the beauty of God’s creation is so overwhelming and sometimes I feel this urge to capture it in a capsule to view it on some dreary snow covered, sunless, wintry day…  When I have drag myself out from under the comforter and get ready to go to work.  Yech!  The thought gives me goose bumps.  I am a sun person, even if it snows, I hope the sun is up every single day of winter, bright and shining. 

Ever wondered why every time you pray earnestly your eyes fill up?  Well that is the intense love we feel for God and that is how we should feel at all times, really close and one with him.

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

chakra -- One of the seven centers of spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophy.  Sanskrit chakram - wheel, circle

I am sure everyone enjoyed the long labor day weekend (way back when) and longer week after that working.  The past few weeks have been a really blessed for me, God has been in close touch with me, assuring me that he is taking care of me and my family.  I know it sounds silly, but I really felt that I was having this conversation with God.  I felt a peace that I cannot explain. 

Marching ahead with my testimony… 

“I would store all this in two big suitcases.  Now the third year was the real test…to be continued…”  I started going to a church and everything was good, but in my mind I was doing this only to please my future husband and not because I was convicted or anything.  I would go to church as a ritual.  I would lie at home telling my parents that I had to work overtime or some class to go to.  Now in retrospect, I think my folks knew all along that there was something fishy.  I would read the bible like a novel,  reading only the stories, not really realizing that I was reading God’s words.  What a folly to merely brush aside the very words of life.  Anyway, so I was going to this church and nothing was happening.  Meanwhile I switched jobs and had to do night shifts, which meant my husband and I did not get that much to meet.  The problems started. 

We started having tiffs and sometimes they would blow out of proportion.  So everytime I had a fight with him I would come home and read Psalms, not realizing that God was already working mightily in my life.  When God chooses you, he creates situations and circumstances in such a way that the only resort left is to seek him.  So I would read the Psalms and cry like a baby, and then forget all about it.  And then we had the biggest fight and it seemed like it would be Splitsville for us…

To be continued… 

Talking further about children, my husband and I attended our first Back to School night meeting at my son’s school.  His teacher was all praises for him, but before we met her I was really nervous as to what I was going to hear, and I was praying.  Hearing the good things made me proud and I thanked God for working in his life.  Then I remembered that my son is only six and already I feel this way about him, imagine the parents of grown up boys and girls…where the matters at hand are not about going to 1^st grade and meeting the teacher…but much more bigger things.  I pray that God gives them the grace to handle it all.  I mean both parents and children.

Cheers!  To all drinking the elixir of life, eating manna so that we can all go forth and belch out the word of God to all.

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day: 

Aryan - A member of the people who spoke the parent language of the Indo-European languages.

In Nazism, a Caucasian Gentile, especially Nordic type.Of or relating to Indo-Iranian languages.

Sanskrit arya - noble

Ahn-nyong-ha-se-yo  (“How are you?” in Korean),

I hope that some of your queries have been answered and some still to be answered.  I am getting to them, please be patient.  The technical snag has been solved.

Proceeding further on my testimony… 

So we were an item…to be continued.  Now there was no way I could tell my folks about my new found love, as I would have been thrown out of the house, so I just kept it a secret and decided that when things come to, I will deal with them.  Meanwhile we were merrily meeting each other, he would pick me up for work and drop me home in the evening. 

The first year was very rosy, we were at our best behavior, then sometime during the second year, my husband became born again.  He then told me about Christ and said that it would be nice if I could attend some church once in a while.  Even at that time, I was thinking that when we get married we would do a Hindu ceremony, because I would not have any connection with that once I got married, which was still a long way off.  I knew that I would not get any kind of support from my family, so I started making my own trousseau, clothes, linen, jewelry, household things, etc, all little by little.  I would store all these things in two big suitcases.  Now the third year was the real test…to be continued. 

Last Wednesday, my son turned 6, and all of a sudden he seemed big.  He will start going to 1^st Grade, big step in life.  My son and I are pals, we share the same frequency, we understand each other and both of us love art.  In fact, we can read each other’s mind.  God has been very good to me and has given me two wonderful children.  

On that thankful note, I will stop here this time. More good stuff next week. Ciao.

 Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day:

Guru - A teacher and a guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

A mentor.  A recognized leader in a field.  "Fitness Guru"

Hindi/Punjab -- guru (teacher), from Sanskrit guruh -- weighty, heavy, grave

I know that I have not posted a reply to many questions, but I have tried to do so, somehow there seems to be technical snag.  Soon you will have my replies to your questions.

Now for the second part of my testimony… 

So I had stopped at “I fell in love at first sight and decided that this is the man that I must marry.  Little did I know what future beheld for me…to be continued”.  So there is this man, I really fell for, and I had no clue about him or his family.  But I knew that he was the one.  So for a few months I put an effort in getting to know him, but not like dating as in the U.S., because you know the Indian society. 

 It was convenient as we worked in the same office.  After six months, our man was still the same, friendly but that is all.  I wondered whether he liked me at all or not.  So I popped the question “are you interested in me?” (I told you I was brave), and he said that he was but he was not sure that I would fall for someone like him.  So we were an item…to be continued. 

This weekend my family and I went to Sayre, PA with some friends and then onto the Niagara Falls.  There I was both disgusted and overwhelmed, by the swarm of desis (Indians) I saw.  But then I felt happy that we are a people that appreciate nature, because there is no other reason that one would come to Niagara Falls.  Especially as the fare for “Maid of the Mist” is $11.95 per person, so I guess we can afford that.  Overall it was a wonderful trip, the sights were beautiful, the drive was so nice.  Then we came back to Sayre, PA and attended the Sunday Church at the local Assemblies of God Church.  The message was simple but direct.  What touched me was the warmth of the people, they were very happy to see us (they met us for the first time) and almost all came to greet us in Christ’s name.  That does feel good, God was with us there.

There is something about small towns that is so endearing, something warm, homey and secure, like a quilt.  But I wonder what I would do if I lived in one.  After a little while I would probably die of boredom or not.  Anyway being in Sayre reminded me of my home India, I cannot say why, but it did, in a nice way and that made the trip really special.

Until next time, enjoy the week, the sun, the breeze and all the wonderful blessings that the Good Lord has given us, because there are many who cannot enjoy these even when they have it.

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day:  Loot (noun) - Valuables pillaged in time of war: spoils

Stolen goods: Goods illicitly obtained as by bribery. 

Loot (v) To pillage, spoil 

Hindi - lut, from Sanskrit loptrum/lotrum - plunder

Continuing from my last article, I am glad for the audience.  I have been asked some very serious questions and I have tried to be very honest in replying.  But to everyone out there asking these questions, you must understand that although I do have some experience, but not all.  Most of all, I seek answers from God.  I pray about the question and then answer.  Many times we have questions that we are afraid to ask ourselves or our close ones, for times like these, resort to Hero No.1…Christ the Lord.  Sounds clichéd, but it is the truth.  All my questions and prayers have been answered to date.  The success rate is 100%.  But I can impart some wisdom out of the life that I have lived pre and post Christ.  So feel free to ask me, but if at any time I have disappointed anyone, feel free to say that too. 

Moving on, about my testimony.  I was born in an orthodox Tamil Iyer Brahmin family where Christians are not only of a different religion but of a different world.  So I grew up thinking about Christians as people who came to your homes to convert you to Christianity.  People who drink, smoke and eat meat all the time.  Most of all I thought that theirs was a very liberal society (example: dating, broad minded way of dressing, etc.)  So I did not in my wildest dreams imagine I would marry one.  Everything was going fine, until I laid eyes upon my husband (then, just an office colleague).  I fell in love at first sight and decided that this is the man that I must marry.  Little did I know what future beheld for me…to be continued.

I know that the U.S. has the best doctors and everybody in the world comes here for specialized treatment, etc.  But I was disappointed when I came here initially.  I developed  a medical problem, so I made an appointment with a doctor.  Being a new patient I got an appointment for a date that was in the near future and I wondered whether I would be able to survive my condition till that time.  The only other option was call emergency and we all know about that one.  So I waited and the day arrived, I met the doc and the diagnosis was not clear.  The doc actually said that “I think it might….”  The moment I heard those four words I got scared.  So I sought a second opinion and a third (to all these docs I was a new patient), each one gave a different diagnosis.  I was baffled and tired, but I went to a fourth one, who diagnosed something and by that time I was sick of the medical system here and was not sure whether I should take any medication that she was prescribing.  So when I went to India, I went to my doc and she quickly examined and diagnosed my problem and put me on medication.

I returned to the U.S. and wanted a follow up check-up, so I sought an appointment with the last doc (as she had the right diagnosis), and I waited for almost 1 hour before she could come and examine me.  She did some blood work, and said she would call, I waited and waited until I was so sick that I called her, only to be told that she is extremely busy.  I probably made some 10 calls and got to talk to her the 11^th time.  She told me to take some more pills and said that we will have to see how this thing proceeds.  So here I am wondering what is wrong with me.  If I was in India, I can just walk into a doctor’s office, see the doctor, know what problem I have and get treated.  How difficult is that?  I ask.

So I feel that one should never fall sick ever, and if you do, never in the United States.

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day:  Pariah - A social outcast. An Untouchable.

Tamil pariah - caste name which means 'hereditary drummer'.  The caste system in India placed pariahs or untouchables very low in society.  First recorded in English in 1613.

Namaste (greetings) in the name of Yeshu Masih (Jesus Christ).  My first few articles went on air and I got a few comments, some silly, some sweet, some just random. But overall I am happy that people actually read me. It has not even been two years since I came to the US and it already seems like eons have passed.  I wonder whether that is good or bad.  But I must mention that when I went on a visit to India, I totally reconnected and felt the deepest of sorrow leaving her, like I was leaving India for a place so foreign and far away.  It is not just distance that separates India and the US but a total culture.  No matter how many Indian restaurants you go to, or Indian people you meet you will still ache for India.  My mother land boo hoo hoo.

Now, now wipe your tears brave uns, remember you have a war to fight larger than your motherland.  This is a little belated but nevertheless important, I attended our annual retreat, where people from other IPF churches gather and have a wonderful fellowship time. This time though (just my second year) I did not feel like going there, but I prayed about it and presto! God honoured that spoke to me at the retreat.  Sometimes I am ashamed at my behaviour with my Saviour, after all he did save my life.  The littlest of things that is in your heart, he answers them without even praying for it.  Our God is an awesome god.  I usually do not like to use the word “awesome” as it is generally used colloquially.  I mean for the smallest thing I can hear people exclaiming “wow! that is awesome”.  For me that word is so full of meaning and the only time I would use it is when I really mean it and therefore I can use it only for our GOD! For he is truly awesome, nothing else compares to him and worthy of that word. 

Okay! Descending to the earthly realms, get ready for my Desi (Indian) Dose.   I have not yet told you all about my testimony, how I came to know the lord and grew in faith etc.  Well that would take at least a few columns.  But here is a tidbit I want to share.  We read about so many things in the Bible about obedience to God in everything , unconditional love etc. As Indians, we are raised by our parents not to question their authority, hence the parents also raise the children very carefully as a responsibility. Agreed that many times they are very strict,  but I think when the children become adults they realize the worth of this and are thankful in their heart of hearts.  So how come something that they liked growing up suddenly becomes an obstacle?. After all the Bible does tell us to obey our parents. Think about it. 

Moving on to lighter things, how to make chicken curry (a question posed by one of the reader), well with chicken of course (tee hee!), seriously,  I will give the link to my recipe next time.  The second question is more serious, and that is, How to tie a lungi?.  Now that might be tricky, depends on why you want to do it in the first place. Anyway there is no way that you tie it once and it stays put.  You have retie it several times (as and when it get loose so as to not lose it). Finally supenders do not work, but a belt might just do the trick.  Hoping that people don’t get scandalized anytime you are not able to tie it properly, good luck….

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day:

Bungalow - A bungalow is any single story house . The word dervies from Hindi from 1676 and is literally a house "in the Bengal style". Such houses were traditionally small, only one storey, thatched and had a wide veranda  Bungalows today are simply any single story house and can be quite large.

I am back!  (Persistent ain’t I?)  First and foremost, God is Good!  I was wondering about the many similarities various cultures have.  Take for instance the Hispanic culture, they have the same family values (they are so close), similar taste for food (jalapenos…oh yeah), and even the colors are the same, I mean when you think of South America, I bet you conjure up orangey rusty sunsets against clear blue skies and lush green trees.  Ever notice when we Indians speak Spanish our pronunciation is almost perfect?  (My Hispanic friends tell me how they think I could pass for a Peruvian anytime). 

Now, some of you may feel that my articles are tightly packed…, no light reading this one.  You have to take time to unpack, peel each sentence, read it, enjoy it, and then… let the reaction flow, direct them all to me.  No!  Seriously we need to slow down, notice things, everything cannot be fast food.  You need some food for thought too.  With most fast food all you end up getting is gas.  Full yet empty.  What say?…    

Also, many times, when people read what I write, it could come across as controversial, but tell me, those of you who do not like to get into controversies is because you feel that you are being attacked in one.  Look at it this way, if you detach yourself from the subject (even if it is personal) and then tackle it and agree to disagree, the controversy ceases to be.  Confused?  Try it next time, don’t get defensive in a controversy.  Just face it head on.

My Spiritual Sepoys, oh!  How good it is to be a part of God’s army.  I hope you are polishing your heavenly armor for the “Day”.

Now for the “Great India” lecture (okay! Can you please stifle that yawn?)…Indian Food!  Tell me of one person that does not like Indian food, the whole world and one loves Indian food, and believe me the Indian food that you get in the USA is not even close to real Indian food.  I mean even westerners come to India, have Indian food and end up eating their fingers (sometimes literally! as they go back with upset stomachs!). 

Ever wonder how our grandparents have come to influence us so much?  In fact, there are times when they understand us better than our own parents.  I learned a lot of wisdom from them that I will be passing on to my children in the coming years and they to theirs and so on.  This I got especially from the Indian family system.  I never thought of my grandparents as burdens, and I always enjoyed being with them, taking care of them when they were not well, and most of all I miss them now that they are not here.  My kids are so lucky to have their Grandma with them in the USA.  My son loves the fact that when he gets back home from school, she is there waiting for him with a smile and warm food.  He is happy that she is interested in him and his day.  So when I get back home, the first thing he asks me is “Hi! Mom how was your day?” 

…and that, my Friends… makes my day. 

Until next time…be good.

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day:

Coir:  Fiber from the outer husk of the coconut, used in potting compost and for making ropes and matting.  Origin from Malayalam - kayaru – cord.

Yescape.  Okay! Okay! I know that you are all very proud to be Indians and that I was wrong about you ABCDs. Now! that does not seem like a nice name to be called ABCDs, so primitive, haven’t we all risen beyond the alphabet, and into to the realm of spiritual unity. 

So from now on I will call all you ABCDs (yech!) Spiritual Sepoys or S squared because after all we are here for the spiritual war of the end days and imminent coming of the LORD, and all of you Sepoys are going to be on one side or the other (all of you formerly known as ABCDs). 

Now having agreed on that name…What? some of you object to it, c’mon for Christ’s sake (literally) agree to something.  Specifically to this, after all as the quote goes “My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am right.”(by Ashleigh Brilliant)

 Suno! Suno! (hark! hark!) for tales of motherland.  Of late I have read a lot about arranged marriages and how only parents know what is good for you, and how you are all grown up to make your own decisions and hence have the ability to choose your own life partners. 

Just think about it, the joy they felt when they had you and raised you with all that love and affection.  One fine you just want to break free of all that and make your own decision about the most important thing in one’s life.  To marry, to choose a life partner, a companion, with whom you will spend the rest of your life. Imagine their condition, they have given you the best all your life and now is the time when they want the ultimate for you. They want to choose someone who will be just right for you (after all they have seen you since day 1). They may even agree to get you married to the person of your choice but the hurt that you give them will be there buried deep in their hearts. Also imagine how you can rest assured that you will get the crème de la crème for a life partner (without having to worry about it).  This is a piece of Indian value for you today. 

Because (I know that you cannot begin a sentence with because, because, because is a conjunction, but I plead you grant me poetic license) having said these things, I myself disobeyed my elders to get married not only by my choice but also outside my religion. Everytime we meet there are moments when we choke while talking about life. But I believe God did this for a purpose, and I am glad. God works in mysterious ways, and this was the way that he chose me.  

Moving on, next time you go to GAP to buy that cotton shirt, see the tag, chances are you will find tha it is made in India.  I went to India for a vacation (sans familia) and I got a lot of clothes “tailored” of the best materials, and everytime I wear sometime, everybody is like oooh! Where did you get that, that looks like haute couture, and I say I designed it, and I am an INDIAN. Touché.

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day:

Juggernaut - Something, such as a belief or an institution, that elicits blind and destructive devotion or to which people are ruthlessly sacrificed. An overwhelming, advancing force that crushes or seem to crush everything in its path.

The name of the Hindu deity Krishna – Jagannath  -  Hindi Jaganath - Lord Krishna, from Sanskrit jaganatha : jagath -moving/the world + nathah – Lord/God. 

Ammamaiyodu Para translates roughly into: Ask Aunty — a new column for IndaPhatFarm.com.  

God is Good….all the time.  

Hello!  Hello!  Mic testing…  There now!  Can you all hear me at the back?  (of the computer screen).  Good!   

Allow me to introduce myself, I am an Indian (fiercely so!) born in India, lived there for most of my life.  I moved to the USA (what a lucky girl!) two years ago.  How you ask?  Oh!  My job in New Delhi transferred me to the Legal Department of the World Bank.  And now I work as a mere Program Assistant.  Those who know me either think that I am a trip (a subtle way to say that they think I am crazy, bonkers, off the rocker, a goner…), or they love me immensely (“such a nice girl, a Tamilian too…and she can speak such nice Malayalam!”).

Okay, enough of introducing myself.  Whatever I am, it is because of GOD’s grace.  Every time I speak about God, I get overwhelmed thinking about all the things he has done in my life.  The fact that I am alive and you are reading my article is all because of God’s graciousness.

I have been regularly reading the various articles on IndaPhatFarm, and I have enjoyed most of them.  However at times, I get this feeling that it is really difficult for Indian American kids (ABCD’s) to accept the fact that they are Indians.  No offense to anyone, but in my coming articles you will be hearing a lot of India, its goodness as well as its drawbacks.

You must understand that I am not here to be judgmental about being an Indian or being an American, at the same time, I would like each one of us Indians to be really proud of having an Indian background, which is culturally so rich (and becoming economically rich too.)  Also keep in mind that the United States has a two-hundred year lead on India in terms of development… so we will get there slowly but surely.  Knowing some of you, I can vouch for the fact that each one of you is a wonderful human being and that has a lot to do with being an Indian.  Now that I have your undivided attention, I shall continue next time…One of my goals is to show you all the real India outside of Kerala.  Be prepared.

Pip-Pip for now. 

Mera Bhaarat Mahaan!  (My India is Great).

Gyaan (knowledge) for the Day :  Did you know that the word “khaki” is of Indian origin?  Read on: “khaki” -  A light olive brown to moderate or light yellowish brown.  A sturdy cloth of this color.  Khakis - trousers made from this cloth.

Urdu khaki - dusty or dust colored, from Persian word khak – dust.