Chris and I got to visit Kansas last weekend (now two weekends ago I guess!) to see our Aunt Kathleen, Uncle Dana, and great India friends Cookie & Dave. Earlier I wrote a post about Cookie's "bucket-list fulfillment", and here are the pictures from that event. Since we spent SO much time together hiking during our year in India, this was an especially fun event because I remember where a lot of these pictures were taken! I also knew the people in the photos, and had many tearful moments looking through her art.
The rest of the weekend was spent eating together, going on walks, visiting, taking naps, going to church, and just "doing life." The biggest part of life that I miss from India is the comfort that we had with the people there. After a few weeks we were family, and would go to each other's houses for the most basic things: do laundry, cook, just sit and knit. It didn't matter what we were doing, but we usually did it together, and it felt great to share that with these guys again.
The other neat thing about this weekend is that we got to experience life "Mennonite-style." Both Cookie/Dave and Kathleen/Dana grew up and are actively living in a Mennonite community, and life is SO simple. The Mennonite community is very aware of their impact on the world and environment, and loves to live simply. It's a given that you have a large garden at their church, and both these couples lived largely without air conditioners because they could and to do so saved energy. It was really challenging and exciting to see their lifestyle up close...thanks for sharing it with us you guys!
Love to you all...and loved the weekend. :)
Side Note: being with India friends helped lessen some feelings of EXTREME jealousy about a group of 26 Woodstock staff members hiking Banderpunch and summit a 20,000+ peak over the last 3 weeks. :( The pictures look awesome you guys!
I also got to purchase one of her pictures, and am SO glad. It was professionally printed with her story written on the back, so it's very special to my heart and always will be. Thanks for sharing your talent with the world Cooks!
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| Kathleen and Cookie hanging out at the back - Cookie was SUCH a trooper, but this was definitely a full week for her chemo-treated body! I couldn't believe how great she looked and how much energy she had though! Praise God! |
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| This man had a hut on the way to the bazaar in town, and every single time I walked into town (except once!) he was busy threading these quilts. This was one of the pictures I cried at - I hadn't thought about him since we never had any personal interactions, but his face was so memorable! |
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| The boys: Dave, Chris, and Dana |
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| It was SO BUSY! Friday night alone over 700 people walked through the show. So cool! |
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| This is seriously one of my favorite friendships, because it crosses a generational divide...and we are STILL so comfortable with each other and connect on so many neat levels. Love you guys! |
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| Dave the storyteller. |
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| Cookie, looking fit and spry. :) |
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| Dana and Kathleen - and doesn't she look great in her saree?! |
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| And at the end of the day, Cookie is WIPED! |
The other neat thing about this weekend is that we got to experience life "Mennonite-style." Both Cookie/Dave and Kathleen/Dana grew up and are actively living in a Mennonite community, and life is SO simple. The Mennonite community is very aware of their impact on the world and environment, and loves to live simply. It's a given that you have a large garden at their church, and both these couples lived largely without air conditioners because they could and to do so saved energy. It was really challenging and exciting to see their lifestyle up close...thanks for sharing it with us you guys!
Love to you all...and loved the weekend. :)
Side Note: being with India friends helped lessen some feelings of EXTREME jealousy about a group of 26 Woodstock staff members hiking Banderpunch and summit a 20,000+ peak over the last 3 weeks. :( The pictures look awesome you guys!
