Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Life in Simple


Darlings,

Dear Women - from my heart to yours…. A few words on Simplicity

I don't know about you but I am always in a hurry, even when I'm not in a hurry I try to do things as fast as possible.  Lately the most common thing I tell myself is…. "Shyla, just use both hands!"

Life can be so much simpler than we make it, and our minds and hearts a little ( a lot) more at ease in result.  Let's take a look at ways that we can enjoy our lives a little more:


ONE
Have a proper wake up.  Get up in enough time to wake up and ease into the day before you run into the shower, throw on a pair of matching clothes, and rush off to a busy day.  At least give yourself time to sit down with a cup of coffee and read a verse, but if you can: wake up, have breakfast with that cup of coffee, have devotions, and take time to pick our your outfit with matching shoes and jewelry ;). I learned this from a mentor of mine (Lauren :).  You'll be amazed at how much better you'll  be able to handle your entire day.  

TWO
Give yourself time.  We often underestimate the time it takes to do something.  Whether it's baking bread or putting on our makeup.  Start overestimating and giving yourself leeway in between.  You'll find yourself showing up on time to things and feeling less stressed and irritable.  If you hate wasted time, always keep a book with you to read. Give yourself two days to bake Christmas Cookies instead of one;  go Christmas shopping one day and grocery shopping on a different day; paint your nails when you have a good 2 hours to sit there and relax.  Otherwise you'll end up angry.  Everyday.

THREE
Don't multitask all the time. This is one of my faults, it's like a game I play with myself, how many things can I juggle at one time?  Put the thumbprint in the cookies once they're halfway baked, and respond to the laundry as soon each load is done, and don't make too many dishes, and call the electric company before noon, and jog around the house 5 times remembering what I need to do. My brain gets all twisted and I end up needing a nap by 2pm.  Yes, us women are pretty good at multi-tasking but, sometimes we need to protect our sanity. Just do one thing at a time, and don't let your mind go anywhere else.  Enjoy putting thumbprints in those cookies without racing on a time clock, then go to the next thing.  Make a list for yourself in the morning and once you've completed something check it off and go to the next.  Don't keep lists in your head. 

FOUR
Don't do it.  When you simply find that you won't have enough time to do everything without stressing yourself out, don't do it.  Don't make a batch of cookies for your neighbor; it was a nice gesture but maybe you can do it next week.  Don't do the laundry today, wash the pair of jeans that Johnny needs and leave the rest for tomorrow.  Don't make a full coarse meal every night, by pop-it-in -the-oven answers  to meals for those times you need it - or order pizza!  Just don't do it.  Sit down for 5 minutes instead.

FIVE
Know your priorities.  This will help you decide what not to do.  What are the must do's for you everyday? Is it that your kitchen is clean every morning?  Make sure you finish your dishes the day before while you still have energy, don't leave them as the last thing you do before bed, you'll be more likely to leave them for the morning and then your next day you will feel stressed at the start.  Priorities let you know what comes first in your life, and second, and third, etc.  Make a list: (1. God, 2. Famliy, 3. Job, 4. Church….).  When one task fights for the other you'll know which one to choose.  There will be sometimes that one just trumps the other though - maybe you have put off visiting your neighbor so long that you decide that today you won't clean the house, you'll go visit her.


*There are great ways to increase productivity and create systems in your life so that everything gets done, these rules are for when your smooth running system gets a bump in the belt. If you find yourself having to drop too many things you may need to check out the *re-prioritizing or *self-discipline charts. ;)


How Do You Like Your Life?
Life in Leopard Speed
Life in Flashing Red
Life in Glitter and Glue Everywhere
I like my Life in SIMPLE

;)

*P.s. Check out my favorite Magazine: REAL SIMPLE  realsimple.com
(They do things like create a meal menu for you for a whole month with perforated tear out grocery lists for each week in accordance - yeah that's awesome!  And you can look at the mag without being stressed out by a ton of ads).

Monday, November 5, 2012

Mr. Rogers and Me

For my dearest Blog Friends - Thought you should see this video.

which did not inspire my blog :)....






I feel at home when...

I'm in Holmes County, Ohio

I'm with Nathan, Janet, or Travis
when I'm with any one member of my family I don't miss anything
Nothing is missing- I don't get tired of them

 I'm with a Dear Friend and we share our hearts with Each Other

In my Kitchen

I'm sharing My life Story - God's Beautiful Work in my Life - And the person Values It

When I'm Offering My Ear to A Woman
counseling a woman, bringing healing, showing her Christ's love; I feel a world at home there

I Pray in the Spirit

I'm Making a cup of Tea or coffee for someone

I'm with a Mennonite

I'm walking Arm in Arm with with someone 

I'm in any beautiful, Quiet Place with a Journal and my own Thoughts

When I'm Laughing
without restraint

I walk down the Indian Street

I smell a Barn

I take a Long Run

I speak about Knowing God

Standing in from a Group of People sharing a Word/ Teaching from the Lord

I'm with Jesus



Saturday, November 3, 2012

Dear Readers,

Tomorrow I will say goodbye to Kolkata.  I am going home for the next two months to spend the holidays at home with my family, with potential to return to Kolkata once again.

I had such an enriching time serving with Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa's Order), and will greatly miss the 12 little brown faces and precious souls of the children in my class at the orphanage.





The lovely people at BMS, where I stay.  There's a community of young people who have travelled from Kolkata from all over the world to also serve with MOC.  I am thankful for this community.

Sweet Klara from Italy was like a sister to me at BMS


And the church that I very much felt welcomed into.  I joined the worship team and became good friends with the young people on the team, including 3 foreign girls volunteering at the church and locally.




This woman; my Indian friend, was like a sister to me.  An answered prayer.


Kolkata - an overwhelmingly chaotic, filthy, and rustic city has grown on me and overpowered me with it's beauty, kindness, and warmth.  Kolkata; a land of contradictions -yet the beauty shines through; The City of Joy.  

I will spend 4 days in Varanasi with Carl and Joann Benderoth (a family from my hometown serving in India for the past years).   Then I will tour in Dehli, the capital, for a few day's before I go home.


Ohio, See you on the 13th!

Love,

Shyla

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Things I Don't Do...

Ask my local friends here in India - I'll do just about anything in India to fit in- Eat Indian food and enjoy it, wear the beautiful clothes like I was made for it, practice my Hindi with any person that gets to sit beside me on the bus - and LOVE IT!

However there are a few things that I DONT Do.

We all have our preferences - yeah?  Some people don' t like to paint their own nails - they just get them done.  Chosen Luxuries.  Well, these are the things I choose not to do in India.

p.s. These things can be done well by anyone who takes time to do them. ;)



Things I Don't Do: 

1. Buy Meat in the Market  
( I just can't do it)

2. Wash My Clothes in a Bucket 
(I can never get the soap all out. Plus- because everyone needs a job in India - service is so accessible here.  So I kindly give my laundry to the laundry man that comes to my door every morning. :)  Thank-you laundry man.)

3. Use the bucket of water in the restroom
(If you know what I mean)


:)

Saturday, September 1, 2012

The Damp Arrival Back to India


The plane ride was lovely, 

[2 hr flight to Chicago]…..(left my camera battery and charger in the CAK airport...Oh Shyla!)

[5 hr Layover in Chicago] - Had a discrepancy about which flight I was on from Chicago to Frankfurt - had to call my Travel Agent - got it worked out 10min before boarding - just enough time to fit in one last Starbucks Vanilla Latte that I enjoyed on the plane.

[8 hr flight to Frankfurt, Germany]… sat by a lovely old lady.

[5 hr layover in Frankfurt] - slept as always in Frankfurt - somehow this layover always ends up in the middle of the night my time and I'm exhausted.  I've mastered the art of sleeping sprawled out on the seats and protecting my luggage at the same time.

[8 hr flight to Banglalore] - still fine.  Read most of the time - lovely lovely many from Argentina - shared Christ with Him.  Arrived to Bangalore with a friend waiting for me - was such a delight.

Slept at CSI - A guest house I know in Bangalore. 

I rested awhile and met my friend, Sathish in the city, spent the day there - lovely time.  I just sat on a second floor coffee shop and took in India again - the beautiful people, busy streets, and my heart melted again for the country.

We rode his bike (motorcycle) to the bus station WITH all my luggage.  Haha.. Yes, just imagine me, him, a 50 pound luggage, and a 40 pound luggage - all on one bike!  We did it - and I felt like a true Indian. :)
  
[Boarded the Bus for Ooty] - Night train should be 5 hrs, I had to pee so bad and thought I would hold but ended up requesting the driver to 'Stop for toilet, please.'  Then got more comfortable but my legs started aching like nothing else, and it was like the weight of exhaustion from the past 30 hours of sitting caught up to me.  When we stopped in the jungle and I discovered that we had not made the 2 bus quota to get through and had to wait 2 hours…. I got really grumpy.  I was tired.

Decided to get off the bus to stretch even though I didn't know anyone - but of course I wasn't lonely for long.  Sweet, sweet, curious Indians came and talked to me - and with one came a crowd, all interested in the foreign girl.  Then the girl who sat beside me came and said that if I am lonely I can come and be with her group.  A group of 5 young adults getting their PHD in Engineering Science…haha.  They were so kind - and we laughed and carried on during the two hours, thank you Lord. 

Finally reaching Ooty - after a total of [9 hours] later!!!  Got to Farley (where I stay) around 9:30am- very very tired and a bit grumpy - but so glad to be there. 

The W.eather is really damp and wet here - beautifully green - but cold. :)

Pray for me as I spend the next two weeks here with the friends I have made here over the past 6 months and prepare to go to Calcutta.


*Total Travel Time: 41 hrs

Friday, August 17, 2012

The Promise of Joy

Sometimes....

Sometimes the joy from our lives leaves.

      The sunshine keeps shining, and the summer continues.... kids splash in the water, laughter   
      continues but not yours.

      Days continue - almost on without you.  And the lack of joy almost paints everything grey - as if   
      nothing is important anymore without the sometime you lost.

      Have you felt this way before?  Have you lost something great or small?  If you have, you know 
      how I feel.

But then sometimes that joy returns.

       You keep walking, keep moving through the grey - sunshine nagging days. One step at a time,
       one single day at a time, believing, hoping, trusting that things will get better.

       Things we lose never can be replaced but there is a deep something in Life that can never be  
       taken.  And that something is the Giver of Joy.


It is a beautiful thing when in the stepping - trusting - that joy returns.

Here, in the midst of pain, we find a wholesome joy - because - we realize that we can have it in the midst of our reality - it never left us - we just forgot that it is not conditional.


Thank-you Jesus for Joy.

Real Joy. 


When you settle into it in the reality of life it is a beautiful gift- because it holds the promise that it can never be taken away.

Thank-you Jesus for Joy and Thank-you Jesus that I can hope for Bigger things too!  I'm glad that joy protects me and supports me in my hoping.


Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Harvest Time

A few thoughts and beliefs....

It's Harvest Time

Get READY








Just wait - the fruit you have been waiting for WILL produce.......that's a promise *


_________________________________________________________________________________
"He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.  In all that he does he prospers." - Psalm 1 

"But I am not ashamed for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me." 2 Timothy 1: 12

"Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.  For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities." - Isaiah 54: 2-3
_________________________________________________________________________________




It's Time to 'JUST DO IT'


 There is a time to learn grace and understand that God does not condemn us when we mess up and return to Him and then there is a time to understand and act. 
_________________________________________________________________________________
"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God.  you need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.  But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."  Hebrews 5: 12-14
_________________________________________________________________________________

Things we need to DO:
(scripture shows that his promises are conditional!  You will reap harvest if  you... meditate on his word day and night...)

1. Read the WORD daily

2. PRAY (Intercede)

3. Have FAITH

4.  Flee EVIL

5.  Pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS



I pray that we can 'buck up' and get ourselves ready for the harvest - because the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  There is grace for us to be mature! Let's not just expect for these things to happen for us - we must act!  Expect that when we act according to scripture there will be grace - and it will be GREAT!  Just as promised.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The Warmth of A Texas Night


There's something about the warmth of a TX night.  It is enchanting to my heart; taking me back to a thousand years ago and a thousand memories under this BIG southern sky.

I walked out into the night late this evening, as I have done almost every night since my return to Texas and have been happily reminded of all of the late nights I've spent under the Texan sky.

Late nights spent...

Laying on our backs in the horseshoe of the dorms watching the stars.  It would start with 2 or 3 and end up with a whole crowd of people lined on the sidewalk on their backs watching the stars.  Interns passing by on their way back to their rooms.  It was like we were invisible in the dark night.  Invisible of time - the busy busy time packed days of TM - we escaped in the night.  We lived all night long like there was no limit, because the day had so many appointments.  So we lived at night and we didn't sleep.

Tucking our little interns into bed when we were Core Advisors and running out into the night, because it was the only time we could be 'un-leaders.'  Running into the night and releasing as much kid as possible.  Climbing on top of all kinds of things on campus, jumping into lakes with all of our clothes on, and throwing dance parties in any random place.  The CA's had the most fun of their lives because they needed to!  And they lived all night too... later than the interns because they need it that much more.

Walking out of the SAC after long days of training missionaries getting ready to storm the mission field.  Exhausted from teaching drama all day in the blazing sun, we worked until midnight until the drama was 'just right' and then met with our project directors afterwards, but walking down those sidewalks for the bazillionth time feeling the most refreshing feeling in the world of getting to influence young souls on fire for God.

Stepping out of the Auditorium with 300 of our fellow interns in silence after a fiery, spirit-filled message from Blaise on the 3rd night of the fasting retreat.... looking up at the starry sky and thinking about encountering God.  Thinking about the revelations we just got of Him and how much more we want to DIVE in and know more about this Man.  Some of us would find places in the darkness to ponder on our revelations - one by the prayer tree, another on the bench by the front pond, another in the Gazebo, another walking around the loop for hours and hours into the night.


These are the scents and smells and feelings that the warmth of a Texas Night awakens in me.

It is a world of memory and recollections of the 4 years spent at Teen Mania and the journey it took me on to adulthood.


I'm so glad to be here.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Things I've Missed

Being Home

My first stop in the States was straight away to Texas - the Lonestar state.  Of long back roads, down-home cookin, the long drawl, steer, and cowboy hats.  And one more thing: Teen Mania. 

Texas to me is:  the place i became an adult. the home of some of my best and closest friends. an amazing ministry that taught me all about ministry, leadership, people, and living for Christ.

Coming home has been a blessing so far.  I have been taken in warmly by close friends and spending time with them - just joining them in whatever they're doing; which is always something exciting at TM. :)  

Thanks Beth, Corrie, Holly, and Cat. 


I talk about India everyday - telling people of it's beauty and the place it holds in my heart.  


There are a few things that I've realized I miss about home :)

1. Taking a Shower Everyday (Emphasis on 'shower' and 'everyday')
2. Rinsing My Toothbrush with the Water Out of the Tap
3. Drinking Ice Cold Water (and getting it from the tap)
4. Coffee with (Creamer)
5. Starbucks :)
6. Big Fat Hamburgers (on the grill)
7. Driving
8. Calling My Mom on My Cell Phone (not on skype)


I'll spend time in Austin, TX with close family friends of mine: The Scribers
And then head home to Ohio to see my FAMILY! and Church


Friday, June 22, 2012

Tears for India……


Such a beautiful country, such a beautiful people.  I love you India, I have tears for you as I leave…. All the beauty  you have imparted to me, humbly, I see that my heart has been strengthened and softened by your love.  I am here to be yours; I know I'm not done being influenced and changed by you. So,

See you soon again…..

I'm visiting home for 2 months, will be back soon.


The Colors. The Colors. The Colors. The Colors







The Culture.  The Culture. The Culture. The Culture







The People. The People. The People. The People












"It's a good thing: tears. It does not tag the coming as better or the past as less, it allows the now; and somehow combines all three."




Saturday, June 2, 2012

The COLORS



My Birthday Celebration

Friends, I must share with you how blessed I was on the day of my birthday celebration.  You must know how I love to celebrate - and I don't miss my own birthday as an opportunity to host and cook and decorate and gather a crowd of people! :)

On this day I wanted to share the joy of celebrating with the people that have meant a lot to me here in India and I was in turn overwhelmed and touched by their love and friendship.

We had a picnic at Farley where I stay.

To you whom I could not share my day with this year - I wish you could have been here.  Love you!

Here are some photos :

It was a FUN day! :)



I chose Pink, Orange, and Yellow :)
The beautiful flowers are from the Farley garden.


Menu:  I baked the Chicken (Brenda's Christmas Chicken)
Annette made the rolls (Buttermilk)
Valsa brought the vegetable (Indian Eggplant)
Mala brought the Potato Salad

The People


FF Staff: Greg, Rod, Susai, Shymala, (Shyamala's Sister) 

Laura (FF Volunteer), Jessie, Valsa (Bible Study Friends)

Elizabeth, Jaya (FF Staff), Tom (Bible Study), Mala, Susai's Kids: Nelson & Martin 

Sheida (friend from community), Karen, Jeff, Abi (Pastor and family from church), Diana (FF)



The Cake


And introducing...... THE CAKE!
This is the Maltby Cake
(Yes I baked this in India ;)
Served with Mixed Fruit (mango, pineapple, and banana)

Hannah (volunteer) lighting my special flower candle!! ;) -
As it lights it blossoms and sings Happy Birthday!!  This is an Indian tradition.

Singing:  "We're SOOOO glad God made you....Happy Birthday to you!"

Happy Birthday!

And the Birthday girl cuts the cake!

...And Greg helps serve - our usual tradition in the FF. :)

Beautiful!

Lovely People.


The Gifts
My guests totally surprised me by bringing gifts for me, and I really was blessed by the way this made me feel loved and at home!  Thank-you everyone!








Hannah and I

My Iranian Friend -Love her!  Sheida



The Day of my Birthday with my English Class


I must share with you my English Class:  These are the lovely women whom I have had the opportunity to teach English to.  We had class on my birthday and they came dressed in their best Sari's of bright color, brought their children, and cooked homemade sweets!  This sincerely was the highlight of my day. I felt truly blessed on my birthday!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Travelling

Travelling

Let me take you through the journey I have taken this month through India. Come…..


First Stop: Bangalore
City - Shopping - History (Palace) - Market


Bangalore is India's third most populous city and fifth-most populous urban agglomeration. Bangalore is well known as a hub for India's information technology sector. It is among the top 10 preferred entrepreneurial locations in the world.

The Crowded Streets of Chickpet Market

The Bangalore Palace

The Traditional Indian Wear: Sari 

Shopping - A Typical shop with loads of clothing folded on a shelf -
they pulled out about  20 of them for us to see and laid them on the floor.




Second Stop: Goa
One Word: Paradise - Hut on the Beach - Good Food - Rented Motorbikes - Sunrise Boat ride - Dolphins

Goa is India's smallest state however it was ranked the best placed state for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India.  Goa is a former Portuguese colony, the Portuguese overseas territory of Portuguese India existed for about 450 years until it was annexed by India in 1961.

Agonda Beach

The Crew - Bronte, Ty (Sheen'a Friend), Sheena, JT (Ty's brother), Aajay (Simose Staff), Me, Dinesh (Simrose Staff),  Heidi (Ty's Mom)

Simrose Resort:  Where we stayed

The huts we stayed on - steps away from the beach
We crawled out of bed and took morning swims and runs on the beach
and lounged at the bar late into the  night.



Third Stop: Mumbai (Bombay)
Biggest & Richest City in India! - Tons of People - Colors - British/ Indian Buildings - Run Down/ Beautiful - Gateway to India

 Mumbai has a total population of approximately 20.5 million, it is one of the most populous urban regions in the world. In 2009, it was named an Alpha world city. Mumbai is also the richest city in India.

This is it:  The Biggest City in India (Reminded me of NYC but bigger)
Skyscrapers to the slums

A perfect picture of the vast contrast here in Bombay - Run Down yet British Architecture

The Catholic Hostel we stayed in :)

Wesley - Me - Sheena
Wesley is a former FF staff from Mumbai - He showed us around!
We had a blast together
The Gateway to India

The Famous Taj Mahal Palace Hotel - Wow!  It was Extraordinary :)
Perhaps one day I'll stay there :)

Bombay = Good Times
We had so many!!

Getting Henna done on the streets :)

Bye Bye city on the coast!




It was so good to spend time travelling in India and see other parts of it.  For heavens sake, If I'm gonna be here for a year then I want to conquer it!  This was just a start - but a really good one!  Bangalore is a really well know city and quite large - we very much enjoyed finding our way around the high points of town, including the locals' Chick Pet Market, Commercial Road (Shopping), and an auto ride tour of the history of the city including the Tudor Style Palace.  We met friends of Sheena's in Goa and truly were blown away at the amazing time we had - the culture is that of California - laid back  beach bums.  The coast was nothing short of beautiful and we spent our days lounging on the beach and eating wonderful western food with the luxury of a hut on the beach.  Sheena and I made a last stop in Mumbai on her way out of the country.  The city won my heart as the pinnacle of my favorite things about India.  I'm looking for ways to go back! :)