Hi Everyone --

Another week has sped by -- and it doesn't feel like Christmas at all! We have a picture with snow on the computer, but outside the flowers are still blooming, the sun is still shining, there's no need for a coat or jacket, and it's just nice!

I can hardly believe that December has gone by so quickly. We only have 1 week left to prepare for our trip. We have plenty to do -- like paperwork that needs to be taken care of in the US, pack, last minute shopping, etc. I know we'll get it all done in time.

We decided to go back to the antique furniture place yesterday and see if the piece we liked was still there. We went to one of their shops with already finished pieces in it -- they were beautiful and much more expensive. We went to the old workshop next. To the shopping center, down the ramp into the basement, past the water, through a door, and into a storage room. There it was in the back -- facing the corner -- the piece we liked last time. No one had snatched it up! We looked it over carefully. The guy told us that it was made of Burma Teak and made in Calcutta about 110 years ago. I don't know whether to believe him or not. Nevertheless, we were told it was 17,000 rupees last time and he said it was the same price this time. Oddly enough, yesterday there was a 5,000 rupee charge for the refinishing and repair work. That brought the price to 22,000 rupees (about $460). This is India -- never pay the price they give you! I talked him down to 20,000 rupees (about $415). Not a really great bargain, but that's ok. We went over it fairly thoroughly (or as much as possible in a wet basement where there's not much light), and it needs some pieces replaced. They assured us that it wasn't a problem and it would be as good as new when they were done. It will be finished by 15 Jan. 2009. We were ok with that since we were leaving the country. You can see the "before" picture now, and we will have the "before" and "after" picture when it's done. I hope it turns out ok.

We have Hannah's school exams worked out. She will take History and Literature in Cedar Falls at UNI on Dec. 22-23, and she will take Physics in Bellevue on Dec. 29-31. All her new classes for January have arrived, but it doesn't feel right to start the new classes without the old ones being finished up yet.

We had 6 at church today (including us). We won't have church here for 3 weeks -- 2 weeks we'll be in the US and the 3rd week we'll be coming into Mumbai and we will attend the branch there. Our friends, the Nabrotzkys, we went to Israel, with leave this week also -- they are moving to Qatar. They have had some harrowing experiences in India and are looking forward to a change of venue.

We hope everyone is doing well and happy! We can't wait to see everyone along our path.
Love, Lucinda