Sorry I didn't add a post yesterday! It was a busy day. Mr. Pandit from the orphanage wanted to meet with us again because he forgot to tell us a few things. We were happy to go back, because once we got back to the hotel with Pratima (who prefers to be called Nanda (rhymes with Wanda or Rhonda:), we realized we had more questions. We had Indian Tea and cookies with Mr. Pandit, and sat and had a nice chat. Mona (our guide) was able to talk to Nanda's caregiver and get some more info. on bathing, etc. Nanda got to see her friends one last time. I think it hit her that she was really leaving, because once we returned to the hotel, she was feeling very sad. I feel so bad for her! Everything is so new for her. I don't think she left the orphanage very much. She had never been in a car before we took her away. She had never used a western toilet before either! She didn't know what to do. She is a very brave girl.

This is the welcoming committee at the hotel in Ahmedabad. I think everyone is being extra careful after all that has happened in Mumbai. This is the outside of the orphage. You would never guess that there was a lovely, large complex behind these doors. The orphanage is the oldest in India, started by Ghandi himself! Over one hundred years old. We were able to tour the eating area, sleeping area (we saw Nanda's bunk) doctors office, tv room, and school. We saw the nursery and toddler rooms too. They told us that they have to keep the toddlers away from the babies, because the toddlers take the babies bottles! Everything was very clean and neat. If you could see the poverty outside the gates (see the last picture) I don't think this orphage is a bad place to be. It seems that the children are loved and cared for. Mr. Pandit knows all 130 of their names, and is there every day of the week. He is very proud of the MRA.

Here is Nanda with her friends, caregiver (and Molly). It was so sad to see this and know that she may never see these girls again. There were no hugs or tears for good-byes from anyone.

This is the view directly across the street from the MRA. This is a very typical street scene. It is so different from Thiensville! You see every kind of vehicle including camels, motorcycles (with full families on board, mom side saddle in the back holding baby), rickshaws, buses, tractors, donkeys, bikes, cows and cars. Driving here is organized chaos. It seems to work, however. Mini said that the horn is more important than the brake!

Last night Mona and her sweet friend, Rushme, took us shopping. It was SO fun. The first store was like April Cornell on steroids. Shelves full of brightly colored clothing for all ages. Home goods too. Everything was so beautiful! Then we took Molly, Grammy and Jim back to the hotel, and the rest of us went out to a street market. This one near the hotel was full of mirrored skirts and textiles. It was amazing! Nanda said didn't want one though, she said she prefered jeans! I love her! She thought Molly would like one. She picked out some bangles and hair stuff for Molly. Very sweet! It was invaluable to have Mona and Rushme there to translate for us. Thank-you again Mona and Rushme (I'm sure I spelled your name wrong-sorry!)

This morning we left for Delhi, Nanda's first plane ride. She was excited to see the planes and once we took off she motioned that everything looked small from way up there. She is so sweet, but she is really missing her home. She will wear only the clothes that were given to us by the orphanage, and will only eat the biscuits they gave us as well. Please pray for her comfort and well-being.

Tomorrow we are off to the Embassy! I'll write again!

Love, Melinda

Mission accomplished! This morning we picked up Pratima from the orphanage. It could not have gone better. Mr. Pandit, the director, gave us a full tour of the orphanage and school. I am so glad we were able to see where she has lived all these years. Here is a picture taken right after she came into the room. Molly gave her the stuffed cat that she is holding.
This picture was taken in the courtyard of the orphanage. It is very nice- a nice garden for the children to play in. My mom and Mr. Pandit are also in the picture.

I love this picture! This is Pratima's classroom and she is sitting in her seat. Look at all the precious faces! Not all the girls are in the orphanage. Pratima showed no signs of being sad, she waved good-bye to them all. Mr. Pandit told us that she would point out airplanes in the sky and say that she will fly to America someday.

Back at the hotel, Molly shows her how to play with Wicki Stix. Pratima seems to be a quick study.

Look at Molly chasing pigeons near Covent Garden in London! She was such a trouper yesterday. We arrived in London at 1:00am our time (6:00am London time). We hopped on a train and headed to the city center. We walked all over the place, and she still had energy enough to chase pigeons. We totally lucked out on our Chicago-London flight.....they bumped us up to business class which has those seats that lay completely flat. It was so luxurious! We were back on the plane to fly to Delhi by 3:30 London time (10:30 our time). We are spending the day in a hotel near the airport as we wait for out flight to Ahmedabad early tonight. It is so nice to get a shower, put our bags down and have a snack! We are watching the news about the attacks in Mumbai. Yikes. Please pray for our safety!
This was our first view of Delhi out the window of the car. It is very hazy/foggy/smoggy today. The roads and roadsides are a sight. I kept thinking about Thiensville, and how different it will be to Pratima. SO different! We will meet her tomorrow. I can't believe it.
Molly says hello to Clawed! Give him a scrunch for us. We miss you little guy!

Today we leave for India! We are all packed up and the house is clean. Yesterday was a busy day! I am feeling very calm believe it or not! Thanks for all the prayers and offers of help while we are gone.
Sunday night we took our cat, Clawed over to the Karaba's house. They are so nice to catsit for us! We knew Clawed would be lonely staying here for two weeks without us. He is so needy! So far, he seems to be adjusting OK. We had to go visit him yesterday- Molly really misses him.
One more thing.....I have to update you on my failed picture hanging ordeal in Pratima's room. Jim went to do it yesterday and it turns out I had the drill on reverse! Duh! I'm sure I will never live that one down. The good news is that the mirror is hanging without any further trouble:) Now, don't you all tease me about this when I get home!
Hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving. We count each of you as blessings!
Love, Melinda

1.)This is Pratima's bedroom. Today is devoted to getting her room ready. The bed is made, curtains ironed, pictures hung and fringe hot-glued to lampshade:) On the opposite wall I tried to hang a mirror, but there must be brick or something right behind the plaster. The drill would not budge! JIM HELP! Oh yeah, he's not home. I guess her room won't be quite finished today!

2.)These are my "Iowa" cousins!  (And my sister, Jody).  My family would visit them in Iowa for weeks every summer.  We always had a great time.  It was fun to see them at my Granny's 90th Birthday party earlier in November.  We don't get together very often!  From left to right- Monty, Me, Jeff, Jody and Spencer.  Jody looks like she needs a step stool:)

3.)This is my Granny!  Happy Birthday, Granny!  Also pictured; Ray (her husband), June Bug, Molly and Ella.  June and Ella are my sister's girls.  They LOVE each other.  It is so cute.

Hello People!

I am sitting here exhasted from a fun week-end at Great Getaway!  Great Getaway is our all church retreat, for those of you who don't go our church.  We all have a blast- sleep too little, learn about God, and eat too much.  All with a bunch of friends from church.  What could be better?  I am looking ahead to my week, and trying not to feel overwhelmed.  I have a too many things left to do before we can leave for India.  Jim is gone all week for work, so it is up to me to get it all done!    

I am getting so excited to meet Pratima.  I have all her clothes out, ready to go into the suitcase.  I hope I guessed correctly on the sizes!  We can buy stuff there if I'm too far off.  I keep wondering what she is like.  Is she outgoing?  Is she timid and shy?  Is she ready for this great adventure?  Think how her life so far will impact the rest of her life,( and ours).  She will have such a unique perspective on the world, and will help us all to see things differently.  I think it is cool that she is old enough to remember and tell us what her life was like and what she was feeling all those years she spent in the orphanage (once she learns English!).  

If you are a prayerful person, could you please pray for Pratima?  Also, Molly is nervous about our trip, and says she doesn't want to go- would you pray for her too?  I so appreciate all the prayers said on our behalf.  We are feelin' the love (and joy, and peace)  So, THANK-YOU!    

 

Yes!  We finally booked our tickets for our trip.  We will fly out of O'Hare on Tuesday, Nov. 24. We will get Pratima on Friday, the day AFTER Thanksgiving.  I was hoping to get her ON Thanksgiving, but it just will not work out.  There are very limited flights between Delhi and Ahmedabad.  Who knew?  We have also booked our hotel in Delhi- we are staying at a very nice place thanks to Jim's hotel points!  All those nights on the road will pay off.  We then return on December 6, with new daughter in hand!

So now the frantic count-down begins.  I have so much to do, and so little time!  Fortunately, I work best under pressure, as many of you know:)  Please keep us in your prayers, they are definitely working!  

I'll keep you posted!

Melinda