Indian Wedding

We were recently invited to a traditional Indian hindu wedding. This wedding was none like I have ever seen. What an experience and I am very appreciative to our friend for inviting us. Although there were different gods worshiped here, I was so thankful to the One who created this institute of marriage. He has given us marriage as a picture of our unity to Him through Christ. There were no words spoken to the audience during the ceremony and I will try my best to explain with each of the photos below.

This is what we saw when as we were entering the building where the ceremony was to take place. The design on the floor was made out of a sandy type substance.

This is where the ceremony takes place. There is a golden seat where the bride and groom will sit. Right in front of this seat is a fire that will burn during the ceremony. The fire is the centerpiece. During the ceremony, the bride and groom circled the fire a number of times.

This is a photo of the area where the fire was burning during the ceremony.

 The bride and groom. Prior to the ceremony, it is the custom that he presents his bride with a brand new sari. A sari is what the garnet the bride is clothed in above. This is the traditional Indian dress for women. During the ceremony, the bride and groom both have a long piece of fabric and they actually "tie a knot" in it to signify unity. This is where the phrase comes from. Learn something new everyday!

After the ceremony everyone was treated to a great meal. This is nasi kandar.  (Look below for an explanation of nasi kandar) This meal was lamb, chicken & vegetables all cooked in different types of curry. Watermelon and a fruit salad was on there too!

Nasi Kandar is traditional food that was brought to this region of South East Asia from India. Nasi (rice) Kandar (balance). It derives from when vendors would walk around with rice in one bucket and chicken or vegetables in another bucket. They were both balanced on a pole that he would have on his shoulders. 

Again, I am so thankful for new friends who have opened their country to us as we are sojourners here in South East Asia. I am also encouraged by Luke 10:2-3. "And he (Jesus) said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"

It doesn't take much...

It doesn't take much to amuse me. Little things make me laugh. I also find that I love to see everyday advancements in technology. Having a smart phone (iPhone) that has a little camera on it is an awesome advancement in technology. It allows me to stop and take a picture of things that make me laugh or just scratch my head. Warning, with this first picture, please do not look for a rhyme or reason, just accept that everyone is different, and that makes the world go around!

Here are some photos of things along the way that have made me laugh...

Yes, that is a diaper on a cat. It caused it to walk funny too!

Grits have made it to South East Asia. Not only grits, but instant ones at that. I would argue that 99.999% of the people here have no idea what this is! The price made me laugh, b/c that box of grits here would cost about $7.00 US dollars. 

This drink is called "Cendol." I was visiting with some friends who insisted that I try it. Sometimes when you purchase a drink, they sell it to you in a plastic bag and tie a straw around the top with some string. Pretty smart if you ask me! Can't really put it down though... What made me laugh about this drink was the ingredients. This drink is called Cendol b/c that's the name of the green rice that you see at the bottom. It also has coconut milk, brown sugar, sweet corn, red beans and ice in it. What a combination! You know, I can't say that I really enjoyed this one so much. Thankful for the friends who bought it for me though!

One of the everyday advancements in technology over here is found in parking decks of all places. Remember, it doesn't take much for me to be impressed! 

In the parking decks at some of the malls they have little lights above the spaces to tell you where an empty one is. They also have these signs that tell you how many free spots are to the right and to the left. As you can see, there were 64 free spots to the left and zero to the right. How cool is that!

I also love going to the top of a hill or mountain and being able to look out at what God has created. This is overlooking a city that we spent time in the other day. In the distance is the Indian Ocean. 

This is a closer look at the ocean that you see in the distance on the previous picture. I am always amazed and just at peace when I come to the beach.

Psalm 33:6-9 says, "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap, he puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm."

Jackson Doss Pruitt

My nephew was born this week! Wow, my heart is so full. Jackson Doss Pruitt was born on March 2, 2012. He will be called Doss and that is such a great name! Doss is a "family name" and I know that he will represent it well. It is my Nana's maiden name on my mom's side of the family. I was also really close to my great grandmother, Edna (Gamma) too. My great grandfather, Harold Jackson Doss Sr was killed prior my being born, but I have heard so many amazing things that he did while he was alive. My great-uncle Harold Jackson Doss Jr and my uncle Randle (Randy) Doss Hurst all share these names. My brother's full name is William Jackson Pruitt. Pruitt, of course is our family name. So happy to have Mallory, and now Doss who share this name.

I can also remember growing up, how close Will and I are with our aunts and uncle. The first time I ever drove a car was sitting in my aunt Allison's lap, all of 6 or 7 years old, steering while she pushed the gas. We didn't go fast and it wasn't but maybe 10 or so feet, but it was fun! My uncle Randy has always been like a big brother and we have always found a way to have a good time! So many great memories and I can't wait to make some with Doss!

God has shown me a great deal of comfort and peace while I am away. I am thankful and grateful to Him for everything He has given. Including the birth of Doss! Doss also has newly minted grandparents who will not spoil him at all I am sure. If they don't then Mallory's sister, Lindsey and/or I will make sure that we spoil him as well! My prayer is that we all reflect Christ to Doss as he is "fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14. Actually, the entire Psalm 139 is my prayer for all of us!

My first name is Thomas, and I am named after my grandfather (Papa), Thomas Hurst. He passed away prior to Doss getting here, but I will be sure to tell him stories of this great man. His poise, demeanor, serving others and the way he loved the Lord are all qualities that he and my dad both share. My prayer is that Doss will grow up to be like him and my dad. My grandfather was so proud of Will & me, and I know that both my dad and Mallory's dad are so proud of Doss!

Doss was actually born on Dr. Seuss's birthday. How cool is that?! It's right up there with me sharing my birthday with Will. So little man, from the words of Dr. Seuss himself..."Today you are You that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is You-er than You." One of my favorite books by Dr. Seuss was his last one that he wrote. It's called, "Oh the Places You'll Go!" Here are some quotes from that book that encourage me about Doss. There are some great life lessons here too.

"Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

"Congratulations!

  Today is your day!

  You're off to great places!

  You're off and away!"

Doss you have been created by God and I am so happy that you are here! Psalm 127:3, "Behold, 'children are a heritage from the Lord...'"

"You're off to great places!

  Today is your day!

  Your mountain is waiting. 

  So... Get on your way."

The great thing is that I will be there with Doss, and we will have so much fun together! The much much greater thing is that he has a heavenly Father who will be with Doss too! It's hard to imagine that He loves this little guy more than any of us could. Thank you God for your love. Jesus said, "let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." My prayer is that God reveals Himself to Doss and that he grows in Truth.

Please also pray that Doss will get to go home soon! He came a month early and is spending a little time in the NICU. I get a report almost daily and I hear that he is growing stronger with each minute. I am resting in the truth of knowing that God has made all things, and He is at work in all the details of our lives. John 1:3. Even all the little hairs that are on Doss's head! Luke 12:7.