It’s Been a Good Day (Thursday)

Today has been a pretty good day.  I am so proud of how far Lyla has come in what will be two weeks together!  

For example, in my friend’s house, they have an open kitchen.  Lyla can’t determine when it is appropriate to enter the kitchen.  She usually just runs in and starts grabbing things off counters, and sometimes M would be cooking and it would be dangerous, because she might could burn herself or something.

Well, at the threshold of their kitchen and dining area, is a black marble line.  She learned in one day, that she is no longer able to cross that line.  It might also help that my friends have a young teenage Gujarati girl who helps with the upkeep in their house and washing the dishes, etc.  She helps me communicate a lot.

But Lyla is getting it!  I really thinks she understands a lot of what I say in English, but she is not saying many words in English.  I know it will come in time.  

This may seem crazy or too early to start working on, but Scott and I try really hard to enforce what we call “first time obedience” in our house. It is when you instruct your child to do something they need to do it right away, and with a happy heart… I might add.  🙂

I know that Lyla and I do not speak the same language, but she is truly getting it.  Like when I tell her to come, she needs to come right away, and not ignore me or go into another room.  A few times she has done just that, but then we practice together.  I will walk across the room and call her and when she comes I shower her with praise and she gets so excited to do the right thing.

She is blowing me away!  Is she perfect? No.  Will she ever be perfect? No  But she is already learning the art of obedience.  I am one proud Mama!

She still likes to push it as far as she can go though…she has known for days now that she can not put her feet on the table.  If I turn my head she tries to do it sometimes, and then laughs when I say Lyla in a firm tone.  I told you before, she is mischievous!

We are also working on her eating.  I have mentioned before how she grabs food and holds onto it even when she is not eating it.  She tends to want everything on her plate and everything on everybody else’s plate too.  So we are still working on that concept…that she needs to eat what she has been served and then she can have some more.

But seriously…it has only been two weeks!  She is doing great!

Her mobility is soooo much better.  She is walking wonderfully, still not 100%, but almost there.  She is getting faster and faster too!  She still reaches up a lot to be held, and I have to resist to help keep her practicing her walking.  She went and played outside today some with Hannah.  I could hear her laughing down below in their courtyard area.  

She and H also enjoyed a snack and Mickey Mouse Club House.  H is being so sweet to play with her, share all of her toys, and be patient with Lyla when she doesn’t do exactly what she is supposed to be doing at the moment.  🙂

Today we also ran some errands.  M took me to get the cricket bats I bought for the boys chiseled with their names in Hindi and in English on them.

We actually got this done at a idol makers shop.  He chisels the idols, as well as the beautiful ornate furniture they sit in. They do have an incredible talent and gift for wood carving.

There has been an interesting dialogue that has taken place there in the past, that has caused some of the chiselers to think about what they are doing. 

They were questioned by someone… How can you think this is God if you made it with your own hands and you created it?  Their response… they had never thought about it before.

Pray for that dialogue to continue.

Psalm 115:4-8

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.”

I took some pictures of their beautiful work. I just wish it was for something different.

Next we went to a tailor.  I have had some of my Indian wear for a quite a few years now.  I had ripped my pants at the hospital and a shirt while I was on the plane to Ahmedabad the second time.

He has a little stand right there on the side of the road out in the open air.  We went back later that afternoon and picked up my items…. 20 rupees which is less than 40 cents.  Unbelievable!  

Next Lyla had her first McDonlads experience.  She was totally into the fries and sort of into the chicken nuggets.  I ordered her a happy meal, and she of course has enjoyed the toy.

I heard from Scott via email, and he was in Frankfurt…he should be on US soil in a few hours.  I can’t wait for him to be with our children again.  

Overall it has been good day!

Thanks for all the prayers!