6.21.05
Hi all!

Things are moving right along here. We are continuing to get settled. Acquiring a baby gate for the stairs has been a little more cumbersome than we initially thought. We have to have a carpenter come, take measurements and build it from scratch. Two weeks later we are still waiting for him to come.

We went to church for the first time this last Sunday. There were many similarities, but also many differences. No air conditioning for startersJ It was an early service, so that was fine. They have a culturally specific “speak now or forever hold your peace” part of a wedding ceremony. Instead of the 2 second pause we give during the service in the states. They announce the wedding every Sunday for 3 Sundays before the actual ceremony so people have plenty of time to speak up.
Also, before the regular offering, they have a special offering where people take off their shoes and go up to the altar to give money in an envelope. Clay went up during that time thinking that was how they give the regular offering, but he neglected to take off his shoes. For those of you who grew up watching Sesame Street, it was definitely a “One of these things is not like the other” moment. We are learning.

We are still on a hunt for a nanny. Clay spoke with the pastor in the church about finding one from the congregation. The pastor was very excited about that and is working on it for us.

Claire has been a little sick the last 3-4 days. We don’t know if it is her new teeth coming in, a bit of a bug, or that she drank a little water in the bathtub. She really gave mom a run for her money yesterday, but seems much better today. You should see her “moon walk”, she’s quite talentedJ Mr. Debrie must have given her some lessons before we left.

We received our US mail the other day (thanks Val!). You should have seen us. We were like 2 kids in a candy store devouring every piece. It was very exciting, credit card bills, and bank statements, how fun!

Work is going well. Clay and I are learning more about the people here on a daily basis. I think people are staring less now than they were 2 weeks ago…or maybe we are just getting used to it? Who knows, anyway everyone is so nice here it’s amazing.

A little something to leave all of you fast paced Americans with. Quote from a billboard in Hyderabad:
“Tiredness kills.
Take a break.”
Keep sending the replies; we love to hear from you….