Our House - Adventures.

Each room in our so called haunted house, brings back loads of memories. Our pattima (dad's mom's sister) lived with us. Once it was raining and mom took the clothes hanging outside into the house...A snake must have been on the saree, that it fell down. Scared, it may enter the rooms, where we children are, she closed the door. There was no power as well. With all the commotion, we thought it was a thief who entered in. The family residing upstairs, came down too. We opened some doors, which we had permanently closed. Legend says, that one of my brother hid under the cot. Without power, it was difficult to spot the snake. But they found it near the calendar bundles and I think they killed it? My memory is very thin here. Not sure, if it had bitten my pattima, or amma on the big toe.. or was it another story?

I have seen 2 big snakes dancing standing intertwined in the garbage area ( corner of our home). There had been scorpion visits too. When it rains, all these seem to find its way to our house.

I used to walk from the main road to our home every evening. Earlier I used to stay at Ranjan house till my brother brought me in. I remember being stranded in front of our big gate. Tiger the dog, was jumping up and down on the other side. I stood scared for a long time outside.

Tiger was a cross of Alsation. It was purely white. Once a deer had stood near the MCC compound wall and our Tiger had snatched it and brought it in. It was a small deer. It had caught him by his neck and was bleeding. We somehow rescued the deer but he was bleeding and it stopped. The folks upstairs took it away. Don't know where.

I remember me and praveen burying a toad. I guess prem had dissected it, to see the parts and then stitched it back. He had put it in water, to see if it will survive, sadly it didnt. So I guess Praveen decided to give the toad a decent funeral. We put it in a box, burried it and covered it with a plastic glass, mud on it, and a stick cross and a wreath made of grass. No one was crying, so he hit me and I cried. Some tears for the toad! haha..

FOnd memories of pattima, drying her hair-saying 'velavula' The famous world war 3, that occurs often thanks to me, between my eldest and youngest elder brothers. I was a cry baby, and Praveen often pulled my hair or legs and I would cry.. which infuriated my elder brother Prabhu,and they would fight so madly. I remember once, mom was so furious, she locked prabhu in the center room, because the fight was getting out of hand. He was furious for more than an hour, and then we heard him tearing books, papers. We went from the bedroom, to the corridor, to peak into what prabhu was doing. HE was tearing Praveen's school books( the cover alone) sitting there and sulking. We waited even more, till Prabhu got bored and went back to his room. The books were in a mess!

Prabhu used to help me with all the book covering and labelling. He was my album artist for all and every school work. He used to write beautifully. I learnt lot from him.
Praveen had lot of little cars, that he used to play with. Vroom vroom went the cars, up and down the hills( makeshift bedsheets, pillows and stuffs). I had my baby dolls with me near my pillow.

Our house- Rooms

Our haunted house was located in IAF road, East Tambaram. It was on the main road, opposite to the huge MCC campus. Then it had only stringed compound and was pregnable of all animals. This was near the Farm gate, which was later closed permanently. Our house had an automobile workshop at the front, a HUGE wooden gate, which was quite tall for me to open. There was a jains provision store after our house.

The compound housed more than 10-15 huge trees. The shrubs grew everywhere and were knee high. You never know, what lies inside. Could be toads, frogs, snakes or even scorpions. The house was built in yester years, and the windows, doors and the walls were very sturdy, though they were ages old. The hall was huge, it housed nearly 5-6 big bicycles. We used to play paper cricket there. Dad had a room for his own, filled with calendar bundles, esoaps, screen printing tools, drawings,original paintings and loads and loads of books, comics, bibles, in huge big shelves.

'Enter at your own risk' was sketched in bold letters in the next door, which was my brother's room. When you enter, to the left, the entire wall from ceiling to the floor below was covered with posters. The left one had sports folks, all over. Maradona, Steffi Graf, Boris Becker and many many others. To the right, the entire wall is covered with musicians. Michael Jackson, Samantha fox,strypers, acdc. The third wall had posters of birds, animals on the move from national geographic books, weird pictures. The fourth wall had huge windows. The windows also leaked electric power, so we were instructed not to touch it. The window also housed a skull of cat, with some red bulbs on its eye socket. An old guitar was hung from the ceiling, and it housed a speaker I think. The room always had loud heavy music and was scary enough, to enter. This was primarily Prabhu's work,and I peaked in, whenever the boys weren't home.

There was a verandah, which was partitioned by Prem using news paper and home made glue. He had strings and closed the entrance with thick paper, so you cannot see what's going on inside. The way in was through the otherside, where you have to climb the opening, and jump in. Not feasible for the young or the old. Inside, we could peak in to see Horlicks bottle filled with Kerosene, and dangling scorpions and couple of snakes, frogs, cockroaches, and things he could lay hands on. A chart refuting Darwin's monkey to human story can also be seen hanging. This room thanks to the animals on bottle was another scary room of the house.

I also remember that much earlier, the boys had built Ooty with mud. There was waterfall, trees, Beulah park, chrispugg tea estate? prem bus stand?and lot of hair pin bends, and cars, and trucks going up and down the mud hill.

The dining room, had the huge table, weirdly I don't remember sitting and eating there. We did have the small 14 inch TV. Was it there or on the bedroom? Bedroom was huge, we could put 4-5 cots there. None of the rooms had any lofts. So dad had made a makeshift wooden loft to keep the pillows and other things, that hung from the ceiling in the bedroom. The windows were huge and airy. I remember our nick names written on a window sill. Puli, palli. The room between bedroom and kitchen and bedroom, ideal dining room, had the grinder and fridge? The kitchen was huge too.. But its funny, we did not have any water outlet or sink there. The vessels were kept on the floor. Mom made muruku and cookies, sitting on the floor in a kerosene stove. We did have 1 huge shelf. There was a basket hung from the ceiling of the kitchen to keep the onions. We also had the 'ami' the manual grinder used for making chutney, rasam etc( I don't think we owned a mixie or a fridge, did we?)

The bathroom was huge. It was bigger than our bedroom, we sleep now. The only outlet for water was found here and it was tilted, so you have to be careful when you turn it. You had to step inside rectangular block built probably half a feet high to get to the water. NExt to the door was the indian style commode, but it was so huge, enough for a little elephant to sit in. The funny thing was, it had to be climbed up, with 3-4 steps. Opposite to the only bathroom, was the store room, filled with boxes and suitcases of books, clothes, and things. I remember playing Monopoly here.. ( I wonder why we sat there of all the places. The way to these two room, was through a long corridor.I was afraid to go to the toilet at night, as we had a dim light only and it was quite far from bedroom.

There was a big well outside, I remember taking bath there. The kitchen vessels were washed here too. Strangely we did not have any tap here either. So the water has to be drawn out using an iron bucket, pulley and some thick ropes. I loved pulling it, and playing with it. We were never allowed to peek into the well. On the side of the well, we had an olden type pathway built in stones.. probably for water to flow through. Behind the well, were some abandoned rooms, which were so scary to look at. Broken windows, glasses, were there, filled with shrubs and weeds.
The corner of the compound was used to dump garbage. The other opposite corner had kodukapuli tree. At the front, there were trees, and the boys played cricket. Ahh memories! Thankful to God for the beautiful home we lived in.

Jonah

Dad was giving a message, and he had a translator beside him. It was the last day and the entire crowd was listening intently at him. And as he was talking, he felt the Spirit of God talking to him.

That the crowd of people loved God, and were there, wanting God's blessings. They were devout, they would help build a church or support a ministry. But their hearts were so glued on the worldly things and not on what God's heart was on. They made no effort to know. They were like Jonah. They loved God and tried to please God. But they had no concern on Nineveh. The people, who cannot tell their right hand from their left.

What happened next, dad isn't sure, but he knew God spoke directly through him. He remembers saying about being the donkey that Jesus rode on. The donkey is excited to see people placing clothes for him to walk on, the cheers and the loud claps, but fail to hear and feel the burden that Jesus had, as he cried for Jerusalem.

Dad had cried aloud for couple of minutes, and he had closed the the message sharp at 8.30, he said he got down the stage, and went back to a secluded place and sat down. The touch of God was so heavy, that he needed some air. Many elders who had been praying for a revival, came backstage to see him.

Aleela

Dad just got back from Vizag. It was a 4 day program with mission expo as well. On the last day of the program, they had just enacted the story of Aleela. A young educated mother, whose husband was in the deathbed in hospital. Doctors had given up hope and Aleela was broken, early morning, she took her young baby in her arms, and went to Ganges in Allahabad. She was upto her hip deep in the water. She cried and asked the gods for favor on her husband, and take her child instead. She let the baby go in the water. Crying and beating her chest, she was still in the waters, when a man called Varghese, spots her and asks what the matter was. She tells him. Varghese then proceeds to tell about Christ, and that He can save her husband from all illness. Hearing the truth, she asks, why didn't he tell this good news earlier?

Calm assurance!

"A man can receive only what is given him from heaven."
This verse was oft quoted by my friend's father in law. As she was sharing her experience, I thought she was quoting from James. That every good and  perfect gift is from God. We did a quick search, and finally she found it was in John 3:27

What an assurance! One can receive only what is given from heaven. Whatever situation we are in, we can be rest assured, He will see us through.

First thought comes about spouse, parents, promotion, situation we feel we are thrust in ( not the bad choices we make!)

What a relief. And what peace and rest we have in Him!

2015 floods

After thoughts #chennaifloods

Past week had been gruesome for those in Chennai. As someone stated in fb, the reality of having everything and yet nothing was a nightmare.
You have a high end phone, but no charge nor any signal
You have a house, but can't stay- as it is flooded
You have a car, but its jammed.
You have money in the bank, but no functioning ATM to draw cash.
A black out for days together- and no candle in the stores, no water in the lu, no milk, with vegetables in the refrigerator stinking, water in the ground floor, and some had it till first floor. Losing documents, beds, all electronic stuffs. For those in high rise buildings, no elevators. Imagine having a sick child, or an elderly at home?!
And above all the fear of losing a loved one in the rains.

Speaking to friends at work, I realize there had been some extraordinary moments on December 1, 2 at office. I am jotting them down, tired of asking them to write.

- Complete strangers, have accomodated Infoscions in their homes.
- Gave them dry warm clothes to wear, fed them with food, and a place to sleep.
- Strangers have given lift for Infoscions to reach Guduvanchery/Vandaloor, free of cost. ( Some did take exorbitant amount)
- Some stayed in Churches, some in Mosques
- Some stayed in SRM University classrooms

With phones switched off/no signal to contact their families, a total blackout, completely drenched and shivering in the cold rains, with feet sore walking on water for hours together, I can't imagine the ordeal they went through.

The next day wasn't better either. Getting back to their homes have been a struggle, where each Infoscion had been on their own, and taken their own decision, to reach home, by walk, bus, or own transport. Those who ventured back to office, had more difficulty ( No power/no water/no money in ATM in the DC)and reached their home only on Thursday!

I don’t want to blame, but what could have been done is
- The situation of the nearby lakes, could have been checked and declared holiday on that D day.
- When there was water on the campus –the decision to stop further buses- re-route/cancel shuttles to office could have been done.
- The Bus Drivers could have been informed, to take the buses directly to SRM.
- The train information sent by SMS, misled many. Most were stranded. The trains did not ply after 6.

Some notable points
- Most affected where married Infoscions- who try to get early to office and get out early.
- Some have checked the board in the morning and have started from home, inspite of the rain, to complete their work.
- Men in the bus, were slow to make decisions or lead or even help. Most of the women folks- have ventured out into the rain or walked across, in an attempt to get back to their homes and children.
- The campus was cleaned thanks to the housekeeping and facilities, and making it operational on Monday. I can’t imagine the amount of work involved. ( to know that the housekeeping staffs worked, to clean our campus, when their own homes were flooded and devastated)
- Few got a call from Mysore Infosys, asking about the well being/safety of the individual. ( I got it on Dec 6)

#chennairains, #bcms, #mcity collapse

Lesson from a senior

Was talking to a very senior person at work. He being a believer was sharing how much having a mentor in your life is so important to guide and teach in anyone's life.

Back in the early 90s, when he was in college, he happened to be in library and finish taking notes. He left the library around 6.30 PM and at about the same time a girl from another department also happened to leave the library.  Since their hostels were nearby they walked together talking.

Just when he reached his hostel, his guide called him to have a word with him. What transpired then, has been imbibed and lived upon for all these years. The guide said, you as a christian, a sports player, someone who had shared the testimony, someone who's looked upon, ought to live an exemplary life. It may have been a casual talk, but remember the only person whom you can walk alone or have coffee alone  is your wife.

Years later, he recollected the incident when he was at the Billy Graham museum. He always leaves the door open when he's talking with a lady.

This generation, might find it awkward. "What does a harmless, casual talk have to do. I know and God knows and isn't that enough?"  Not really. Eyes are watching and more than that, our heart is wicked " Jer 17:9 ⁹The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? " and  we are asked to guard it! Prov 4:23" Above all else, guard your heart" however  we could!

And in this age of unlimited internet access, when one can watch, meet, do and experience ANY thing, without ANYONE knowing, even with a parent or spouse sitting next to you, yes it is important to guard your heart. Be holy as I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16

Lesson from a hike.

I was so sure I had written this story years back...But unable to find it and hence penning it again.

These were years ago, when there was no roads to the mission fields and they had to walk across the jungle to reach the remote villages.

Dad was escorted by a local missionary and as they climbed, they stopped to get some breath. Dad spotted a beautiful jack tree with ripe fruits at arms distance and was surprised nobody had picked the fruits so easy to grab. Hugru as they were, he and his other friends immediately got a fruit down. The missionary did not comment anything and dad proceeded to clean and eat the first bite.

But the moment his lips touched it , he spit it out at the same speed. The ripe fruit was so bitter. Confused, he looked at the missionary who looked so amused! The missionary grabbed dad's hand and took him near the jack tree and pointed up to its branches...And there at one crevice of the same was a nice strong neem tree. 

A neem tree on a jack tree! Some crow must have pooped the neem tree on the crevice and that had indeed grown. The roots of the bitter neem tree had found its way into all of jack tree and all TS fruits remain bitter.

Dad narrated this with a laugh and taught us a valuable lesson. No matter how nice and clean and fruitful you are in Christ, if you let one small seed of bitterness in you, you can be rest assured that you'll turn all your fruits into a  bitter one.

Bursting forth

The GST stretch from tambaram to chengelpet is lined up with trees. Though many trees have been chopped down for widening the roads, and many had fell during the cyclones hit back to back in the past, it still brightens up the road with shade and cool air.

Past 2 months have been hot. Summer had started quite early and the humidity is high even as early 7 AM. The face of anyone traveling by road can witness the heat , humidity. But yet what's amazing is to see the trees seem to enjoy the weather. Almost most of the trees have bright green leaves. New leaves inspite of dry ground. The trees have a strange magical shine on them...Like as if they took oil bath? There are trees that are in full bloom. Pretty yellow flowers covering up the trees, pink flowers adorning other tree's, or just the bright green shining in the morning sun. To know they bear the heat all day and feel refreshed to smile!

You may say, come on it's spring season, time for trees to get their new leaves out! But still this heat, this humidity and what a brave face they put on , without brooding about the summer starting quite early or the water that's depleting!

Hope I do to... In the intense stress, pressure and heat of life, that I take time to enjoy the present that God has given me, and be the best I can be shining for his glory!

Amy3

For someone who thought I would never have a baby to having 2 was  no less a miracle. My husband being obsessed with a baby boy, led me to 'want' a baby girl. And God answered both my prayers. 

My husband's desire to be blessed like Jacob to have a large family was ridiculous to me. He had 4 wives. Go get yours was my anger. I have even blurted it out to my mil on the day my lil girl 2 was born.

Though the major fight we had in our marriage was related to the boy thing, God changed my husband and he was a loving father and husband to my girls and me. The girls adore him. I was happy we didn't separate or live as single mom as I thought my world would be.

He still wanted a boy.And third was ridiculous. Isn't it. So I prayed to change his heart. Then I knew it was me in steering wheel.so I prayed, Lord change him or me. As days went, I happened to meet lot of 3 kids mothers. I was like what's this Lord. You are supposed to give friends to my husband and convince him that 2 itself is hard. 
My daughter's classmates 3 of them had 2 siblings. My fellowship folks 5 of them.had 3 kids. School friends 2 of them.

Then I said OK Lord I give in. Knowing my body I know it was a miracle with the first two. So if you really really want me, give me and the strength to carry it. And so I conceived. But unfortunately in 7-8 weeks there was no heartbeat and i ended up miscarrying. It was heartbreaking. I knew I couldn't ask why, but I was sure he knows best. So then I thought my guy will leave me alone. Looking at how I suffered and how my body was beyond recovery.

It seemed ridiculous to everyone around me. Friends , family. We had two kids..life seemed back to normal. But my guy wasn't done yet. So I was back to the same prayer, as all my arguments ended up, in him answering, don't you trust God? ! I do! But. There was no but.

We also had nearly 30+ girls in our fellowship group waiting on their baby...My request list was increasing..and seeing them waiting for so long , for years together was discouraging... And I was regularly praying for few daily. I know a baby forming is not just a wish of a wife or husband...nor the doctors or medicines or any treatment...it is a gift from God. It is a miracle, how all things come together at the perfect time and bring it to life...How life is sustained in the uterus...and how each organ is formed and the heart beats...the tiny fingers, toes, brain, stomach, eyes , nose, mouth, stomach, lungs...

So I surrendered myself to God...if it's your will, you better give me the strength that's needed. I don't want to fight over it with my husband. I can't be praying for my friends, when I have a rebellious spirit with my husband. And God gave me peace over it. Over all the ridiculous stare and exclamation over our 'third'

So here I am after 18 months later, with a lovely baby. I am 38 and God made it possible! It was an easy thing in the eyes of our God.  And he has blessed us with a baby  girl! And my husband now enjoys  being around with  the trio. So i know for sure God has a plan for our third. And also that there is nothing impossible for God.