Christmas finale and sweet sweet Singapore

The Christmas season is officially over for me. Christmas 2006 will be remembered as one of my most meaningful and joy-filled Christmas' in the history of Alicia's life! As much as I miss my family and would've loved to be home, I wouldn't have traded being in India this Christmas for Dr. Pepper, Starbucks, or turkey!

My heart is overwhelmed with the beautiful people that He has placed in my life here. It is neat to see that the Lord is at work and He is growing and maturing the relationships I have with my indian friends. My heart is being knit to this place and the people and this Christmas He gave me the gift of opening my eyes to the beauty of what He is doing around me. Jesus really is amazing and I have never been so honored and excited to celebrate His birth like I have this Christmas.

I spent Christmas Eve with Jonathan and Kelley just like last year! They gave me this awesome 'Santa riding on a camel' Christmas decoration so I would always remember we spent Christmas together!! I love it ...it's so fun! I don't know what I would do without this family!! They make living life FUN. I mean after all "Life is to short to brush with non-Cinnamon toothpaste".

Here is Kiran now...almost 4 months old!!

This is a pictures of Lindsey and I and my English students on Christmas Day. If you notice...Lindsey and I are dressed very Indian and my students are dressed very western!! Don't you just love that?!

Well...I am going to disappear off this thing for a couple weeks because I am in SINGAPORE!!! Julie and I are traveling together from India to meet up with our dear friend Chesi. We all met at the farm and lived in the same Quad so we got really close as you can see from the picture!! We are crazy when we are together, but I also connect with these women in an amazing way! I can't wait for more time of heart to hearts while eating chocolate chip cookies and drinking sweet tea. Pray for us that we would be an encouragement to each other and it would be a time of sharpening each other. I know the fellowship will be beautiful!!

Amanda...know that you will be missed. Here is another picture of us at the farm. We were known for hanging out in our kitchen.. great memories ladies.

After singapore, I am going to Chiang Mai for a 2-day retreat!! keep me in your prayers!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Holiday Fun Continues

Since Wednesday, Lindsey and I have been going non-stop with various different Christmas activities. I am going to try to blog about each event briefly, but if you want more pictures, they are uploaded to my new website for pictures. Click here.

DAY WITH THE KIDDOES - Wednesday afternoon- Thursday afternoon

I realize this photo isn't great quality, but it was fun. This tree was in a mall that is about 10 minutes from my house. This is the largest Christmas tree I have seen all season, so it was picture worthy (and the kids are cute in front of it too). Jeremy took the picture cause he's almost 13 and apparently too cool for the camera these days.

The kids came over and we let them watch three movies in a row. ha ha. Santa Clause 2, Elf, and High School Musical. Then the kids spent the night and we got up early and went to see Open Season at the 3-D I-Max center. Then we had Mc Donald's and came back and made Sugar Cookies. The kids had fun, but I think the parents enjoyed their alone time even more...they definitely needed it!! I love date nights.

CHOTI CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH ENGLISH STUDENTS- Thursday afternoon
Our English class met for the last time for the semester so we thought we would have a Christmas party. We enjoyed food, fellowship, fun, singing, and dancing!! Our students kept trying to get us to dance, but we don't quite have the right skills!! Maybe we should take some dance lessons!! Actually it's on my list of things to do before I leave.

DINNER AT SONNI'S HOUSE - (Thursday evening)

Here I am- eating on the floor! Sonni's (English student of mine) family invited Lindsey and I over for dinner. Her family is from a village called Bihar. So we had their village food and it was delicious!! Have I mentioned that Indian food is really tasty? It's always a little awkward because they don't eat with you. They all just stare at you and try to stuff more down your throat. Indians have the most amazing hospitality.

I have really enjoyed her family. Her father plays the Dolak (drum) and is going to play at our Christmas party on Monday!! He said that God really blessed him by having us come to his house, but we feel the exact same way. He seems really open and I look forward to connecting her family with some of our friends.

CHRISTMAS PARTY AT MY HOUSE - (Friday Evening)
Lindsey and I invited about 40 of our neighbors and our friends for a American/Indian style Christmas celebration. Many Indians know about Christmas, but it is so different from their traditional celebrations that they don't know how to celebrate it. We were actually really surprised by the great turn out that we had! Many people said this was the first time they had ever celebrated Christmas (these are grown adults). Can you imagine that? SO they were thrilled to be invited to celebrate together. Everyone came bearing wonderful and sweet gifts. We played a game with the Santa Hats which made for some really really fun and festive pictures! I love it!!

So what did we do? We started out singing lots of American Christmas carols! Indians really love to learn all the Christmas carols...so they sang loudly and with great joy! Then we were able to have a time of advent. Shortly after, Paul led a time of sharing the Christmas story. It was really neat because he had parts typed out for everyone to read- so everyone was a part of telling the story! It was filled with lots of laughter. My landlords (an elderly couple) were Elizabeth and Zachariah. They really got a kick out of thinking about them having a baby at such an old age!! I was surprised at how much everyone enjoyed it!!

Then at the very end Paul shared about how Jesus' love spread to all from those who are devotees of Jesus. We had everyone light candles from the advent candle. It really was a meaningful moment for all. Lighting candles has a lot of significance here in India. It was really just a neat time together. People then took the candles and placed them on our balcony for our light to shine!

Everyone had a great time! Even today, I heard people say how wonderful the food was (we served dinner) how much they loved the songs and the singing! Mr. Gupta (my landlord) said that until last night he didn't realize that there was prophecy hundreds of years before Jesus' birth. That seemed to really speak to his heart a lot!!

Lindsey and I had a great time and honestly were just overwhelmed with joy and God's goodness. We felt so privileged to share Christmas with our Indian family and friends!! I can't explain in words how meaningful this time was for me. This night will definetly be remembered for a lifetime.

ANITA'S FAMILY CAME OVER FOR PRESENTS- (Saturday morning)

Lindsey and I had bought Anita and her kids Christmas presents. So we had them come over to our house!! They each got something warm to wear for the winter and we bought Anita a big warm blanket for their bed!

I was so overwhelmed this morning! Anita has become so special to us and we really don't know what we would do without her. There are no words to describe how joyful and wonderful it was to give them their first Christmas ever! Their faces and reactions were priceless! It really is better to give than to receive!

REJEEV CAMP CHRISTMAS PLAY- (Saturday Evening)

My supervisor has a slum tuition center (school) in low-income area. The kids put on a Christmas play full of costume's and make-up!! They were great and I really enjoyed seeing the Christmas story in a very Indian way!! It was precious.

This picture is for you KIM and Lindsey!!! It's your 3 favorite people in India.

Well it is super late here...and it's officially Christmas EVE here...SO Merry Christmas EVE!!!

More pics

So loosing everything on your hardrive really makes one think... So I decided to try something new and maybe fun for those of you who actually want to see more pics of things here. I am posting all my pics on Web share so I have them somewhere else. So check it out.

http://picasaweb.google.com/namaskarsa

This is my new site where you can view full albums that I post. You can also put comments and stuff on my pics if you like. That might be fun. Let me know what you think.

Silence Broken

Thankfully, I am blogging from my own computer. For the most part, repairing my computer hasn't been too stressful of a situation. I thankfully have a full-coverage warranty on my computer and Dell's service is quite efficient!! I called Dell at 9 AM and the parts for my computer were delivered to my house that evening. impressive. Then a man came this morning to fix it! I lost my hard drive along with ALL my info, but it's in the shop being restored- hopefully. So words of experience and regret- take the time to back-up your hard drive TODAY!! Or it might cost you $175 to get it restored. This picture is hilarious...it's Lindsey taking out my hard drive the night it crashed to see if I had lost everything...which i did. I just thought it was comical.

I received two more amazing packages in the mail!! So I couldn't forget to put them on here. Are security guards did finally ask us why we were getting so many packages lately...when it rains it pours!!

This package was filled with LOTS and LOTS of Christmas ornaments...also from Mrs. Scivally and her best friend whom I have also never met...but fun stuff!!! More and more stuff to create the perfect Christmas atmosphere! Thanks ladies.






Now these beautiful presents are the presents that came all the way from Bulverde, Texas!!! These presents are from my parents!! I already opened the crocs cause I needed them! They are awesome!! I am hoping to find something inside saying that my parents are coming to visit...we will see...sigh.



So this Sunday was AMAZING! Debbie, ordered herself a grill for Christmas...so we had a cookout!! Can I just say that when all of "us" get together we would dream of the days of cook-outs. So she actually made our wishful thinking a reality. It was so delightful. So here is a picture of us with "beef". Can I just say it was delicious...but it kind of makes me sick when I eat it now...isn't that just tragic?! The best part of the day was it was so relaxing. We cuddled under the covers and watched "The Sound of Music" which has to be one of the best movies ever!! It was just a great to just hang out, fellowship, and enjoy the community that I have here.



Can I just say that this Christmas season has been so fun and amazing!! I can't wait for all the fun activities we have planned this week.... stay tuned for more pics....

Merry Christmas

A moment of Silence....

My computer officially crashed tonight. When I reboot it...it gives me the black screen of DEATH. So sad. Lindsey and her dad did a rather extensive assessment and they think my hardrive is GONE....

moment of silence......


So i will have disappeared in the world of technology for a few days. Thankfully, I have a full warrantly but I can't call Dell till Monday. So this is me sighning off until then.....


Please pray and if you need to get in touch with me...
alicia.divers@gmail.com

Another package came...

Tonight was NOT like any other night... I pulled into the gate at my apartment complex and got out of the car. Yet, as soon as I stepped out of the car my security guard flagged me down and told me that WE (the white girls) had 3 packages!! Well two of them were for Lindsey, but the awesomeLONG one was from Mrs. Scivally! I have never technically met this amazing woman, BUT she sends me these incredibly encouraging emails, has her Sunday girls pray for me, and sends me awesome packages in the mail!! She is one of my biggest cheerleaders and has a pure and sweet heart for the nations.


"What is it?" You might ask....well it was FOUR twenty-oz Dr. Peppers wrapped in bubble wrap. I had mentioned my love for Dr. Pepper and so she filled my Dr. Pepper NEED. It also had some great snowflakes to add to my Christmas ambiance. Thanks Jan...this was super thoughtful of YOU!!!

Sick

This post is specifically dedicated to my Cali friends and past B603 Roomies- Kim Ji and Coop Dawg...

So its cold in India right now. My house is actually colder than it is outside and I don't really like to wear suits in the winter because they just aren't warm enough. But I had English class today in a very conservative part of town so I had to wear a suit, but I was cold....so this is how I left the house. Yes...I actually left the house looking like this.... Sick. It is hideous. I know. My favorite is the socks with sandles. Don't be that gal.

Santa stopped by....

My oldest sister Shannon sent me a Christmas Survival Package. My sister LOVES Christmas. She is actually a Christmas fanatic- so it was only logical for her to send me a package. Well today, Santa CAME (fedex man)!! I was soo stinkin' excited. The package is amazing. Let me tell you about it....



What is Christmas without decorations? So she sent me these amazingly colorful ornaments!! They are quite festive for India.

The box was filled full of KISSES. Hershey's Kisses that is- mint and regular. It's like heaven in my mouth!!!

I didn't own a single Christmas movie!! I know...tragic! She sent White Christmas and Elf!! This is what I guessed she would send!! White Christmas has our "Sisters" song in it and our family watched Elf one Christmas too many times in a row to count. So they had lots of sentimental value!! Good job Shanny.

She also sent me SIX Christmas CD's!!! One of my favorite's she sent was Sandi Patti "Voice of Christmas" because I remember listening to this as a kid. The other favorite she sent was "The John Legend Collection sound of the Season". I have never heard this CD!!

And last but not least there are TWO mystery gifts that are wrapped under my tree...those will get opened on Christmas... I do know that they are DVD's...fun fun!!!

The best part is all the thought and love that went into the package. What a sweet and special package this was!!!

Thanks Shanny.....ksssss...kssssssssss..... don't let the Christmas snake bite!!

Let the Celebrations Begin!!!

This weekend kicked off the start of my Christmas celebrations. Saturday morning, I got to do a little Christmas shopping and then Lindsey and I met my friends Jonathan, Kelley, and Kiran at the German Christmas Market. The market had many vendors from stores all over my city. And because it was a "German" market there was lots of sausage and beer. I purchased one Christmas gift and I actually bought myself something! I bought a berry colored beaded necklace. I am very satisfied with my purchase.

After this, Lindsey and I hopped over to the American embassy to watch Jeremy (a kid on our team) play baseball at his tournament. Lindsey and I have really come to enjoy the baseball field. I mean you can't get any more American than a baseball game...? Oh! And they had Dr. Pepper again!! Sweetness.

After the game, Lindsey and I headed off to Michelle's house for our single girls Christmas party. Someone brilliantly decided that we should have soup to counterbalance the large amounts of sweet that we would want to consume. Sadly enough, we are all not used to sweets so we barely touched them. But the peanut butter fudge, oatmeal cream pies, gingerbread cookies, and magic bars were DE-Lish!!

Now there isn't a Christmas party without some type of gift exchange. In the winter, Indian women wear shawls (like in our pic) not jackets. So we decided to have a shawl gift exchange. We kind of felt like old women, but in India it works and was a brilliant idea! So here we are with all our shawls. Aren't they bea U tiful?

I never drank Applee Cider or Wassle in the states at Christmas but supposedly its a huge tradition. Who knew? So Karen made some for us... it was pretty good, but very very sweet.

So one thing that is rare in India is feeling cute, pretty, or really just female. When any of us do make attempts to look nice we get a lot of unnecessary attention. But everyone looked really beautiful yesterday. So we gave our self Barbie names. Here they are from left to right.

Lindsey- Manhattan NY Barbie

Me- Confident College Barbie

Karen- After Work Party Barbie

Mandy- Urban Barbie

Lindsey- Gap Barbie

Today (Sunday) I attended my first Christmas program. Mandy was suppose to sing a solo so we all came out to support her. There was lots of dancing, drama, singing, preaching, and hip hop dancing!

Oh! And today I got my first Christmas card. Thanks Tammie. My Christmas survival package from my awesome sister Shannon should be delivered by Santa aka FedEx man Tomorrow!!!

Much more celebrating to come!!

Baking...

Oh the joy of Baking!! Tonight I made one of my absolute favorite desserts ever...Oatmeal Cream Pies. These are a Little Debbie specialty, but I have their recipe... bwa ha ha. I actually haven't baked them in probably three years! However, tomorrow, I am going to a Christmas party with all my single girlfriends in my city. So I thought for the special time of the season it would be fun to make them and it was. I really enjoy cooking and baking...it is a good outlet of creativity for me!! Merry Christmas!!!

Final Softball Update- A Lie Exposed

Take a look at the American Embassy American Woman's Softball League CHAMPS!!

This past Sunday, we competed in our last game which was a tournament. The high school "Lindsey Lohan" team actually won the tournament, but we tied for second place!!

We were the Nirmwal Vijay Jewellers. This final score of the tournament game on Sunday. I accidentally smuggled my camera in!! I was really excited. Yay for pics!

I never actually shared with you why I decided to join the softball team. Since moving to India, the Lord shed a light on a lie that I have believed my entire life. The lie that if I wasn't perfect at something that I shouldn't even try it. I have spent my life being afraid to do certain things because I was afraid of disappointing other people or failing. Therefore, I really feel like I have missed out on all that God has for me sometimes. It makes me sometimes not want to try new things. When I finally discovered this, I felt a sense of freedom to know that I no longer had to live this lie. I have never played softball for a league before because I thought I would disappoint my team. But honestly, I love sports and have decent athletic ability. So I joined the team basically to spite the enemy and to remind myself that I don't have to be perfect.

This also has great parallel to my time here in India. It seems like every day here I fail. I am by no means perfect at my job here and really have wrestled with God wondering sometimes why he chose me of all people to be here. I mean there has to be someone more qualified? But I know that the Lord desires to use me with all my imperfections, failures, short comings, and disappointments. He just wants hearts and lives that are willing to be used for HIM.

I am even more determined to try new things...even if I suck at them. I am at least going to try and see the Lord work through my inadequacies. I had a lot of fun playing softball and I proved that I wasn't half bad!!

I am honestly really sad that the season is over. I don't know if I will ever see these woman again. We had a lot of fun together. But the best part to the end of the season was that Lindsey and I got to eat at the American Embassy Restaurant and we ordered BEEF hamburgers!! Can I just say that it was amazing!! What a great end to the season!!

Yum...BEEF.

It's Snowing in Texas!!

Baby Kirra- sweet girl!!

Ben- with his killer good looks.

Believe it or not... IT'S SNOWING IN TEXAS TODAY!! My cousin Tammie sent me pics of her kids playing in the snow. This was their first time to see snow. She said they were honestly a little disappointed when they first saw it...I guess they wondered "what's the big deal?"

Today I got several missed calls on skype from Tammie right in a row, but it always disconnected before I could say hi. So about an hour later, Tammie apologized. She said that on his own, Blake (who is 4), came to the computer to try to call me on Skype because he wanted to talk to me. But he said he couldn't get the phone to work!! He was trying to talk to me! It was soo cute. He recently stayed with my parents and that's where he learned that he could talk to me using Skype. I was so honored he thought of me on his own and tried to call. He then told his mom to tell me this....

" I love you and want to send you a present and I miss you and want to bring you something for your birthday, and you are pretty."

This kids just melts my heart!! I can't wait to play with him again.

Blake is the one in the red power ranger suit and I don't know who the blonde girl is.

Who in the US has my same name?

HowManyOfMe.com

There is: 1 person with my name in the U.S.A. how/'>http://howmanyofme.com">How many have your name?

Community & Happy December

The week of Thanksgiving, I was out of town at a training and didn't really get a chance to think about what I was truly thankful for. But since Thanksgiving, I have had time to think and I have decided that what I am most thankful for are relationships. If anyone knows me well- you know that I am a relational person. It is who I am. I am a loyal- I can't help it.

In the month of November, the idea of community has been on my heart. Not sure why- but I can't seem to stop thinking about the beauty of community- especially among the people of God. I love my independence along with millions of other Americans. I think this is why deep and genuine community is becoming extinct. Community to me is one of the most crucial elements of the authenticity of Jesus followers. After the coming of the Holy Spirit- the first believers exemplified True community- it was inspiring.

I am thankful for the community that exists for me both here in India and in Texas. I have such a great community of Indians here that I love and I call family along with several Americans, but here are some specifics....

This is Hannah. She was my college roomie for three years. She is one my dearest best friends in the world. We can talk for hours even if I talked to her a week before. She always asks the right questions and understands me without much explanation. I also appreciate Hannah because she is just as loyal as I am and loves the phone as much as I do. Thanks for always calling!

This is my roomie now! She is like a spouse- we do everything together and she has chosen to love me unconditionally. She is pretty much amazing and puts up with all my random quirks - which makes her that much more amazing. She is one of the most selfless people I know. She makes India fun.

This is Kelley. She is my accountability partner and sweet sweet friend. She is one of the most disciplined people you will ever meet and really does a great job of encouraging me and challenging me in my walk with the Lord. My favorite things to do with her are playing late night card games and babysitting her adorable baby Kiran!!

This is Julie. My best friend in India and my former FPO roomie. She is a God-send. There is no topic for julie and I that is off-limits. We share the beauty of life together and she will be one of those life-long friends. My favorite things to do with her is to east chocolate chip cookies and drink sweet tea while discussing the meaning of life. I love julie because she really appeals to my deeper philosophical side.

Last but not least my family! I have always been close to my family, but I feel like the distance has brought my family so much closer together. I just value the importance and time with family so much more than I ever did before. So as much as I hate the distance, I love that it is has brought us closer. They are such an amazing support- You are the best.

Happy December! I can't believe it's here. 2007 is just around the corner!! Right now as I type, I am wearing warm pajama pants and a fleece sweater...it's actually COLD here!! This is what I love about this winter season:

1. Christmas trees

2. sweatshirt hoodies ( a simple joy of mine)

3. hot chocolate & chai

4. socks

5. sharing about the birth of Jesus

6. cuddling under covers

7. really hot showers

8. baking

9. slippers

10. Christmas music

Happy Holidays!!!

Christmas Cards- Is it a lost art?

For those of you who still value the giving of Christmas cards- DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME!!

Q: How expensive is it to send a card/letter to you, Alicia?
A: It ONLY cost 80 cents!! Who knew?

Q: How long will it take to get to you Alicia?
A: ONLY one week!!

Q: Is there anything special I should do Alicia?
A: Make sure they stamp it AIR MAIL. Or it will go by boat and I will get it in three months!

EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT MY ADDRESS!!! Hint Hint

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!!!

Christmas has arrived in B-603!! Today was my first attempt at getting into the Holiday spirit!! Lindsey and I purchased a tree and all the trimmings today AND I started listening to Christmas music!! My friend Karen and Lindsey also invited us over for Cornbread and Chilli- two very rare delicacies these days. Don't you just love Christmas?!


Me separating the branches...something I enjoy least.


Random decorations from last year's Christmas gifts! Thanks Jan and The Sweets!!

Lindsey putting on the ribbon

The final product. Of course the picture doesn't do the tree justice. Isn't it pretty?

Right now I am missing my family. They are all having breakfast together because all of the extended family is in town. I would give anything to be there right now!! I think this season will be harder than last year to be away. But I am thankful that I have lots of family here and that I get to share the REASON for the SEASON with so many Indians!! I will be spending the next few days planning and thinking about Christmas activities for this next month. I am also really anticipating my vacation to Singapore and Thailand in about 30 days!! Wahoo.

Sermon Jams

I always love that there are creative ways in sharing the truth of Jesus Christ. A friend led me to this website and I thought I would pass it on. Take some time and check it out. I think you will think it's worth it.

http://www.sermonjams.com" target="blank">

Relevant Revolutions is a network of high caliber multimedia designed to reach the current culture with kingdom truth, grace and good news. Sermon Jams is a subsection which combines thought provoking sermons onto music.

Check it out

I have recently been reconnected with my friend Kelly. We were friends in high school and also shared many memories between cheerleading and yearbook!! Kelly's mother was also a huge mentor and my favorite teacher ever. Needless to say, I have a great love for all of Kelly's family.

Last time I saw Kelly was her wedding! Now she has recently moved to England and we have reconnected via World Wide Web. I have really enjoyed reading her blog. I especially liked Kelly's entry that she posted today. You should check it out... Kelly Shearon: American Ambassador to Birmingham, England.

http://www.shearons.com/kellyblog/

Softball Update # 8- Victory Again

Today was my last official softball game. sad. In two weeks, however, we will have a tournament to decide who will take home the trophies!!

Today we played Subway and we barely beat them 10 to 8. This game was the best competition we have had in awhile. We really had to word hard to win, but it resulted in great satisfaction. Unfortunately, Lindsey was gone these past two games, but our team is looking forward to having her back for the tournament!!

Raman is Engaged!!!

Tonight I attended Raman's engagement ceremony!! Raman is a good friend of mine and works with us. He is officially engaged to a girl from Bhutan. These are some pics from the night.

Anju and I.

Paul and Sadhu Ji- other co-workers