Indian for a weekend

One of my favorite people in the world got married this weekend and just happens to be Indian! I've been waiting for her wedding since we were teenagers as she would tell me bits and pieces about what would happen and I find her culture fascinating in general. I was also lucky enough to be included in her wedding as a bridesmaid :) I am very thankful for the whole opportunity. When she got engaged I wanted to help but realized I had absolutely NO idea what to do so I offered support and help if she needed it. Boy was I in over my head more then I ever could have imagined. I ended up giving cake advise but that was about it! I have no idea what I pictured her wedding would be like but it was probably the most interesting thing I have ever been to.
It was a 4 day extravaganza as it started with mendhi (henna tatoos) on Thursday night. I'm a bit creative and wouldn't say I'm artistic but I am definitely crafty so I was excited to get my hands in this! One of my hands was decorated by one of her family members then I proceeded to decorate my foot with one of the designs in a book of designs she had. I contributed to Alpa's mendhi by writing her name and her fiance's name on the bottom of her feet just so she wouldn't forget. Her hands, feet, and forearms were completely covered with the artwork and she said that she didn't do as much as most people do.
On Friday I went to her "cleansing" ceremony as I like to call it where there were a lot of things going on that I still don't know about lol. The most interesting part besides watching all the Indian people because I was literally the only non Indian person there and in non-Indian clothing, was the part where all the married women get to wipe tumeric paste on her which turns her yellow! Apparently the men get to do it with their own families as well.
Saturday was an all day event with religious ceremonies and ending with a "welcoming party" which was basically a reception since she didn't want to have it after the wedding on Sunday when people would be trying to get home to resume normal activities. The most interesting parts of this day were her beautiful saris (Indian dresses), her make-up, the fact that people weren't really watching or paying attention to much, and that they announced that lunch was being served in the middle of the ceremony! I've never seen my Alpi so beautiful and Indians know how to do it up since she wore 3 beautiful outfits on Saturday alone! Her welcoming party was absolutely beautiful and was like a normal American wedding reception except it had Indian food and music. These people love to dance! I think maybe I'm India Indian instead of American Indian! The music was so fun and was a mix of American music, Indian music, and American music made Indian. I made new friends, ate wonderful food, and wore someone else's clothes! This was also the first time I met her husband and I love him! He was easy to talk to and fun from the first minute.
Sunday was the actual wedding. What does a bridesmaid do in an Indian wedding you might ask? Basically show up early, hang out with the bride, carry a candle to the stage, and then sit with her shoes off and watch for 3-4 hours. Oh and I did get to throw some flower petals at her too! It was a beautiful ceremony with lots of tradition. Someone asked me what the biggest differences were and I said really nothing was the same besides rings and flowers. If you ever have a chance to attend one of these ceremonies you should! It's definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity and no one really knows what's going on which is the funny part! People who are already married have an idea of what is going on but it still seems like it is chaos! My favorite part was when they had to walk around the fire 4 times and whoever sat down first is thought to run the household. My Alpa dominated that task! Another fun part was that her brothers pinned the groom's big toe down and wouldn't let him continue until he paid them so he could marry their sister. It was quite funny.
What was the absolute best part of all of this was that Alpa seemed so happy. I've never seen her with a man and it was really fun to see. Besides that I was really impressed with how nice, open, and helpful everyone was even though my friend Amanda and I really looked like we didn't belong there and had no idea what was going on. They ALWAYS made sure we ate haha, were so good about explaining everything to us, and even dressed us! We had so much fun making new friends and learning about new and exciting things. It was definitely epic and an unbelievable time! I'm sad that it's over but what a "bucket list" type of experience it was. It was like traveling to India without taking a plane. Which is the best way to travel ;) Also it brings up really interesting feelings and thoughts about interfaith and other religions and just how I really do feel about these things. Definitely alot to cherrish and think about after this wonderful weekend :)

Feelings and Emotions vs God's work

I've been feeling a lot lately coming from God... I've asked for a few things and have gotten what I believe to be clarity on them, I've mentioned some things that I was struggling with and then suddenly answers seem to appear, nothing is ever random with God, I know that but how do we sometimes sort out the "feelings" vs what God is trying to show and tell us?
We've been reading a book called Radical and it talked about taking all the showy stuff out of church, the music, lights, programs etc and seeing would you still feel God in the same way without all the stuff that excites your senses? I would like to believe that the actual message is why I have chosen to attend the church that I do and that I could do without all the other but is that really the case? I do love worship music and do sometimes get caught up in the way it moves me but is that really God or a placebo effect?
What I'm trying to say is I guess we have to trust when it's God telling us or guiding us vs our own feelings and thoughts that we are trying to make into God's. I like to think that many of the guidance I feel right now is coming from Him because it is definitely not thoughts or peace that I have had before and I started to gain clarity after a sermon a couple of weeks ago which really hit me hard and sent me back into regular and thoughtful prayer and devotion again. It was after getting back into my routine of time with God that this clarity came.
The only way I can remotely explain these feelings right now is God, and if it turns out it isn't then I will again fall on my knees before Him and He will pick me up and dust me off but until then I am going to keep trying to continue to listen to His gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) guiding and leading and see where He is taking me on this wonderful but not easy journey of life.

Trust and Responsibility

Today our sermon was on responsibility and trust and as most of the time I listen to Pastor Jon speak, today I felt like this was exactly what I needed to hear. The punchline was "Next level reward requires next level risk and responsibility." Hmmm risk and responsibility... 2 things I very much dislike. I believe that I am very responsible with the tangible things of life like my house, my car, taking care of other un-fun adult things. I feel that I am semi-responsible with money and while I can't keep plants alive I am responsible for my dog who is has been alive and well in my care for 3 years now. The part of responsibility that I am not good with is the responsibility to be emotionally well, spiritually challenged, and to take care of myself. I am irresponsible when it comes to me most times. I really enjoy taking care of others and while I will take time for myself when I am completely done and exhausted lately I haven't been using that time correctly. I have been very superficial with my time watching tv or playing online. I haven't been reading, learning, praying, and doing things that will enhance my life instead of distract me from it. I am also guilty of letting new and interesting people distract me from my life... especially males.
Risk... ohh I am not usually a big risk taker. I am the cautious planner. Assessing the risk to reward ratio and making my move from there. While I am getting better at not over thinking things and taking small risks these risks don't normally involve the big fears of being let down, hurt, or stretched. Jon used some examples in church today as when you are trusting God you take the risk of accepting an invitation to something you are not sure about, or waiting and not settling for the now. Lately I haven't been spending enough time with God to be sure which side of the fence I am on if I'm going down the right path (which lately I feel that I am not) or if I am taking risks but are they the right risks or risks that are going against what God wants me to experience? So many questions and the answers are in patience and prayer (deep breath and sigh).
Jon asked us what we thought our "next level reward" that we are looking for is and I feel that mine right now is definitely a relationship leading to marriage. What do I need to risk and be responsible with so that God will use me and reward me for my trust and faith in him? And if I worry about finding someone and that I am getting older and am still single am I really trusting Him? I feel like that is not what trust looks like but it is definitely what our society tells us. I would like to think that God has given me this very strong desire in my heart for a family and that He will one day fulfill that place in my heart he has created but it seems very distant right now. I pray that I have patience, listen to his guidance, take the right risks, and am responsible with my heart actions, the hearts of others, and my time with Him so that one day I will be rewarded with the next level.
I do know a few things... I have wonderful friends who are instrumental in my community growing, stretching, and sharpening me into a woman of God and I am very thankful for that. Also trust doesn't always have immediate results... hence why I probably have a hard time with it along with some other reasons. One more thing, I love my Lord and Savior so much and I am committing to getting back to spending time with him because that's when I am happiest, most fulfilled, and He uses me the most for His kingdom because it's not about me it's about Him and others!
"Stop making excuses, looking for insurance, and blaming others." Jon - Thanks I'm on it! I <3 my church :)