Thankfulness

I was reading a friend of mine's blog from this summer and was inspired to write my own short blog about things that I am thankful for. I'm going to do it picture style.

Menna. A dear friend. The kindest, funniest, awesomest, and wonderful friend I could have ever hoped to make in India. Our adventures and time of laughter in India will always remain in my memory the best part of this trip.

Our clean and safe house, with a kind family (and awesome rooftop)

The Amer Fort and the hills surrounding it. They are why I chose to come to Jaipur, and I have loved the five trips I have taken to come to this beautiful and peaceful place outside the city.

I saw this cloud yesterday after I got out of a very scary situation. Though I was family safe I still felt unsettled, but it's beauty calmed me and gave me hope.

Adapation: I visited this crazy nice mall with Menna and went speechless by it's fanciness. I experienced more culture shock entering this place than at any other point in India- when we returned to the dirty busy streets I felt right at home. It showed just how much I've adapted to this city.

Lays Classic Salted chips. Masala free. I hardly ever eat them in the US but here they taste like home. I've had several times traveling where these and chocolate chip cookies were my dinner.

The wind. During the monsoon it almost blows constantly. The wind can not be seen but it can be felt. It sculpts everything it touches either immediately over long periods of time.  Amidst my doubt, the wind against my face reminds me of God. Even as a I question His goodness through all these questions, the wind He created whispers against my skin reminding me that even if I can't see Him, He is here.

These beautiful flowers have been in bloom since my first day I landed in Jaipur. Through the first couple weeks of hot summer and now the rains of the monsoon they decorate almost every street and mountain with their beauty. 

Sun glasses and funny faces. Menna and I have a whole series of these but they are so fun and make us laugh even when we're getting stressed out or overwhelmed.

So many of my family and friends have been incredibly supportive in this time but I wanted  to give special thanks to my oldest brother, Aaron. His consistent love and support, from the very first day I considered India, to a fabulous pep talk the night before I left and his encouragement amidst the trials and triumphs of my time here have meant more than any thank you note could ever describe. He has modeled what it means to sacrifice your time for those you love, to think with a brilliant mind and fight for a heart of integrity; how to prance like a dinosaur and accept disappointment with grace and fortitude. I love you bro.