Hi Alyssa,

Talked to your dad in church and he said you have"Montezuma's Revenge." I hope you get over that in a hurry. If it continues, you better get some attention IMMEDIATELY before it devlops into something worse. Other than that, it sounds like your week has been quite interesting.

We went to Famous Dave's last night with the Schwarz clan. Cindy is sick with Strep throat and a filled up head. She and Rod have been coughing for two weeks now, I think. We had to wait about an hour, but the food was good.

It started raining here yesterday around noon. Rod finally got in the field at Grandma Schere's, but yesterday the planted plugged up when he got in a wet spot, so that was the end of field work. Now, with the rain, it will probably be several more days.

Bev did get called for the church at Shakopee and will be candidating there sometime in June, so I guess everything is working out for her, as well. Rick is being transferred to MPLS, so that will be good, as they have to live in Shakopee.

I guess I don't have any other news now, so TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Love, Grandma B

Hi Alyssa,

I look forward to getting your blog every week, and enjoy the pictures. Your are certainly on a great adventure. Lisa Durkee enjoys reading your messages, as well and I share them with the round table ladies.

Today we voted to call Michael Goodwin for pastor. He is surely young. I know we will miss the knowledge that Bev had concerning policies etc and her gifts to the church. I think Michael will do well, but it will mean we are breaking in another young man, and he probably won't stay too long. There were 96 who voted and 96 "yes", so that's good. We had a great crowd in church and the Fellowship hall was full-they even opened the folding doors and set up more tables. He and his wife are both very friendly, and I think the young people will really like him. As Roberta Johnson said, it's a good thing he is married or the young girls would be surrounding him. Bri and Skye think he looks like John Travolta, and I think he looks so much like Kathy Riley. He could be her brother.

By the way, Iris gave me the names of a husband and wife who are working in the Presbyterian Mission there at Dehra Dun. It seems like you did mention going to a mission at one time, but perhaps it wasn't there. Their names are Scott and Melanie Smith. The letter says they are on the edge of one of the worst slums in Dehrdun. It's a Christian ministry called SNEHA which was started over ten years ago as a medical service to the people of the slums. Scott is helping SNEHA move its successful ministry in Dehradun to other areas of India. Do you know anything about this mission? I don't want to send you off to some dangerous area, but I know you said you would be working in some very poor areas. It would be interesting to know if you can find out anything about this mission.

We are having a nice warm day today, but had two inches of rain on Friday, so that ended any farm work that had been started. Rod hasn't started at all yet.

Skye called to say your folks called. Your dad told her to tell me he lost his leg to a shark, as I had cautioned him about swimming in the ocean, as there have been two attacks the last week. I guess they get home late Tuesday.

Thanks again for keeping in touch. Take care and God Speed. Love, Grandma and Grandpa B

Hey there niece o'mine!

I sent you a message in the contact area but I don't think you must have gotten it. Please change my e-mail address to my gmail account instead of my aol account....thanks! I am enjoying reading your blogs and viewing your pictures. It is such an awesome adventure that you are on and you are doing such wonderful things for the people in India and for yourself. What a remarkable road you have been chosen to travel on. Take care!

L ove,

Aunt DeeAnn

You are doing a great job on your blog entries and photographs. It's so nice to hear of your adventure as you are having it. You look like your having a great time, pictures do speak a thousand words. I'm certain it's not all fun and games there but it looks like you are making the most of your time. blessings

Hi Alyssa - Awesome pictures!! Your saree (spelling?) is beautiful. It is really great that you are participating in so many different activities. We think of you often, say a few prayers and look forward to the next blog and photos. Thanks for taking the time to post the blog and photos. This is a once in a life time experience. Take care --

Shirley --- I hope you don't get 2 messages that say almost the same thing - because I lost the first note that I was writing - you know me and computers.

Hi Alyssa, Got you great letter. The wedding sounded most interesting. Hope you got some pictures. I guess you have learned that you must ask prices first, and as usual they can tell the US tourist a mile away, so they are prepared with their prices.

I went to the Bible Study at your folk's house last night. Your dad said they had talked to you.

Lorraine Urban passed away as did Everett Sharp. Everett's service is tomorrow at two, and there will be no service for Lorraine-just a visitation on Sat. at the church.

It was really warm here yesterday, but today is gloomy and spitting rain again. Seems like we can't get a week straight of warm, sunny weather.

No other news right now. Thanks again for the blogs. I really enjoy them and share them with both the church ladies and the round table ladies at Lisa's. Love, Grandma B

Hi Alyssa,

Got your latest blog today and all the great pictures. Your experiences sound so exciting and also challenging. I was looking for the two friends in the first picture and then realized they were the creatures on the wall. I can't wait to show that one to Millie Davis. We had those all over in the villa we were in when we went to Jamaica. Your Sari is beautiful. When is the wedding?

How are your rooming facilities there?

I am sure you were told before you left about sanitation. Do you do anything to sanitize your hands etc when you are watching the doctors do their various procedures-I was thinking of having the anti-bacterial hand wash etc. It's a wonder the patients all don't get infections if the doctors don't wear gloves. However, it seems like we have a lot of that in the hospitals here, and they do take precautions, so maybe the people there are just used to all the germs.

We are busy getting ready for the salad luncheon, but I think attendance will be poor. None of the Methodists can come now, because Marion Cox passed away and her funeral is tomorrow at 11. Many of them already had their tickets. I was so in hopes they would set the time at 10:00 or 2:00, as lot of us from our church wanted to go, but we can't now.

It's raining here again today, but we are supposed to have a nice weekend. Our furnace is acting up, and they came to look at it today. They have it running, but say we will need a new one. I think we will sell out.

I had Mikayla and Danican here this morning while Cindy went to the office. Danica never stops talking and Mikayla is so quiet, but they are fun to have around and were very good.

Thanks again for keeping in touch. Take care and God Bless. Love, Grandma & Grandpa B

P.S. Baby is good and growing everyday. Our next appointment is May 8th and hopefully then we will have another picture to post!

Hey Alyssa-
I thought it might be nice to hear from someone in your immediate family on the message board, although I know you have the luxury of talking to mom and dad on the phone. ;-)


Anyway, I was so glad to hear you made it safely to India and I'm glad there is a way we can keep in touch and be part of the experience with you! It sounds like you have had an amazing time so far and there are more good things to come.


You're in our thoughts and prayers and we look forward to more updates when time allows!


Love,
Heather & Eric

Hi, Alyssa!

I am so excited to be able to see your blog and have a way to keep track of what is going on with your life in India! We heard from your mom that you had arrived safely and will continue to keep you in our prayers.

The mime was awesome! I was sitting in front of your mom, and she said she went through 3 Kleenex. (I wish she had shared some with me -- I just had to wipe away the tears with my hand. Dan was using the sleeve of his shirt!) It was so powerful. Tanner is certain that it is something he'd like to do when he's older -- my drama person!

Your experiences sound amazing. I'm sorry to hear about the abortions -- how awful! Hopefully the births can help to off-set the experience of the other a bit. I'll be anxious to watch as your journey continues.

Love, Ruth