Julie Mal, you have made such a difference here. Thank you for loving India and Nepal and its people. Poojah, the little girl who lives on the street behind my house (Poojah) asked me today, "where's Mel?". I told her Mel went "bye bye on the airplane". Her father explained. She was so sad that you left (and so are we!). It was pure delight to have you here over the summer and we are forever changed. We miss you already. Thanks to all friends and family who love and support Mal - she made quite a difference... and indirectly so did all of you! Love, Jules

Linny Thank you for that post. You just made me tear up. Love you like a sister.

G'ma Jo Hi-Mal---I know you will be thrilled to be home again but you've probably grown to really care about the people of India. You will "fer sure" be able to relate really well to the many cultures in the US of A now that you have mingled with the masses there. We all need to get a handle on that in this day and age. You kindness and understanding of their ways will be a tremendous witness. SO----welcome home Saturday. I know Ms. Julie girl is going to really miss you. Love you!

Linny Hey sis! Just read your cow blog..hilarious....pet cows! Sounds a lot like the ducks at WWU if you hit one it was a $100 fine...hit a drunk freshman roaming around campus, no big deal, but a duck....you better watch yoself! (The prez of our campus has a thing for ducks) I would also give the campus ducks personalities as well there was this one bad duck that would hang out with the geese which was pretty "gangsta" of him cuz the geese were really mean and hated the ducks. I would call him a "Hard Core" duck for sure! Well I hope to see you soon...get home safely! Loves and kisses (PS Jody is calling me Linny now..its pretty cute)

mom Hi Sweetie Pie, I love your stories! I am so thrilled you have had so many amazing opportunties to see the world through so many lenses. All of your experiences have and will make you a wiser woman! Keep on exploring and learning - with that you will grow by leaps and bounds. Can't wait to see you very soon. Tell Julie hello and a huge thanks for showing you more of this wonderful world! Much love, mom

Jane Hey Mal Loved the cow blog! I think of you every day and wonder how you are...your time in India is coming to an end and we will all be very happy when you are home...looking forward to a nice long chat with pictures and commentary : ) Love Jane

Emily HOLY COW!!!!! haha ... i can only image what ppl think when they read this blog....they have to think you are stretching the truth and making it sound crazier than it really is .. BUT i know the truth and i KNOW that this is sooooooo true!! haha oh my that was a good blog girl! miss ya and can't wait to you to get back to US soil!

Mom Hi Mal! Always love to hear news and see great photos! So good to talk with you this week! Missing you lots! Much love, Mom

Hannah A whole blog about cows. lol. So...ppl just keep cows as like pets? weird......Hardcore Gang....haha...like gangsta cows. Anyways...can't wait for the next post. byes! -Hannah

Em Hey Malry!! Well I was on my computer today playing Solitaire and decided to see if you had posted a blog...and YOU DID!! HA so YAY for you! :) I was cracking up at the skin whitener! Too funny! But hey-you are instantly popular! :) lol I really miss you guys but not so much the heat! Someone was complaining about being hot and I told them to go to India :) OH YEAH!! I met 2 guys from Mumbai last night lol so random!! Oh and you can appreciate this... I was sitting in the most boring class of ALL time and reflecting on my experience. Then my mind went to the infamous train ride. I started laughing in the middle of class!! I couldn't stop thinking about how Julie was sleeping and running and swinging her head back and forth--then the guy with the gun strolling around...oh geez!! I thought you needed to hear about my embarrassing / hilarious moment! Well I wanted to just drop in and say hi! Can't wait for you to get back! love ya tons!

Linny Hey Sis! Just so you know I haven't been in a tanning bed in 2 1/2 years now and you'll be happy to know that I am still "Vail Pale". Sounds like everything is moving right along for you...wish i could be there to help you with the field studies, surveys, proof reading etc (we actually did that a lot in my major). But you'll git 'er done...always do. I was upset cuz dad told me the phone call that I almost picked up while staying at 8443 Seven Hills WAS YOU! I was so bummed. My trip home was, ummm, interesting to say the least. Jody was an hour late picking me up from the 95% closed INDY airport (absolutely nothing to keep myself entertained besides practicing the swift kick in the nuts), then as I greet him absolutely steaming mad i discover he is covered in poison ivy and I CANT TOUCH HIM! Then tired and just ready to go to sleep, there are no motel rooms in all of indiana because of the flooding. So we have to drive 3 hours and wake up your mother at 3 in the morning. Not exactly the way i want him to meet the fam you know? The next day we attempt to make it to the wedding, leave late, get lost in columbia, lost in the huge church, and literally sneak in the back row, giggling at our stupidity, literally just in time for "ladies and gentlemen for the first time Mr and Mrs Decker" we tried to play it off like we were there the whole time but were sooooo busted. Wedding reception was fun..Jody got hit on by all my lesbian friends! (i guess cuz they have the same hairdo maybe?) Oh wait the fun continues: we drive an hour to get to the Lake of the Ozarks for some sun and fun only to get stuck in the middle of a thunderstorm with tornadoes! GOOD TIMES!!!! I guess if we can make it through the weekend of horrors we can make it through just about anything. I miss you and can't wait to see you Linny

Jane Hey Mal Just wanted to check on you and see how things were going minus Em...we sure are happy to have her back home...well she is home in body...not necessarily in mind...yet...she is in a fog most of the time but assures me that she is getting better...she has the attention span of a gnat right now ( I don't know if that is all that unusual ha...sorry Em but true)...but she is slowly becoming herself again...she says that you say the trip back is always worse...wonder why...anyway...sorry about the continued heat...hope you are having a wonderful time! Can't wait to see you again! Love Jane

Hannah lol. People in India try to whiten their skin? haha! That's funny...because people over here in the States are all obsessed with tanning their skin. Anyways...Indian tv sounds pretty funny...Monsoon Makeover...haha! Well, we're all just sitting here enjoying Father's Day...we just went out to eat...and dad's watching the US Open golf tournament...so, we're good here. Have fun in the sauna! Hope to see you soon! -Hannah

Jodi Hey Mal, just got off the phone with you you sound so great!!! You are truly missed here in the States! You don't know what a blessing it is to see the world from your point of view. Your dad and I are very proud of you, your such a brave, caring and compassionate little soul. I will be praying for you during your travels to the red light district. Okay enough of that we are off to CHICO'S to have yummy food in your honor!!! By the way Jeremy was here yesterday and yeah same ole same ole! LOL.............................LOVE & MISS YOU BUNCHES XOXO

Hannah Hey Mal! I think what you're doing in India is amazing! You've got such a big heart! Wow. I love reading what you and Aunt Julie's crazy next adventure will be. I'm sure sitting in that Hindi conference was great fun! lol. Anways...tell Julie i said hi! -Hannah-