Hare Krsna Maharaj,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
We are sad that it has taken us this long to write, it seems every time we got close the baby cried, something burnt, and we are a bit long winded and therefore never felt like we had enough time to write a proper letter. Two months ago I started writing a letter to inform you that my stepmom, Karla, a devout Christian lady who has always risen during Brahma Muhurta time everyday to do her Christian and philosophical studies the last thirty years, has become my new study partner. We started at book one, Nectar of Instruction, and printed out your annotated version and study guide for our 3 ring binders..! It has been very nice Maharaj, we try to meet on phone every Wednesday and have found two weeks on one verse is so nice, we are now on verse 3. One week I memorize the verse, make notes, and the second week I look up references you mention from the SB and BG and this truly helps us delve deeper into the text and make it a memorable experience. We might be moving slow, but the second week Karla wants me to teach her a summary of the text. So I am getting teaching experience as well and I refer to your powerpoints to give some background info. on the authors. Did you know text one, vaco vegam manasah krodham vegam' rhymes with head shoulders, knees and toes???
HpS - ASA -- AGTSP paoho. In Manipur. Internet access (at 2AM) after three days! So nice to hear from you all. What does head knees.... mean?
In the future when I am teaching children NOI, I will point to the senses according to the sanskrit words and sing the verse in a similar tune as Head and Shoulders..!
Maharaj, my stepmom informed me that she looks at different theologian annotated versions (sometimes even four at once) to study Bible verses. So the annotated version of NOI has very much helped our study and she very much appreciates it. I hope to study Teresa of Avila with her after this book. Praise God! We hope to ask you questions about our studies as they come up if that is okay.
HpS - Yes!
Rounds get done, but still not always early in the morning. I admittedly took too many classes Maharaj for my Masters in Counseling program, I am now seeing one class maybe two will have to do starting in January.
A month ago when we were visiting Boise, Gopal, who is now back from Oxford let us know that they are on a search for a pujari during the weekdays and asked me if I would be interested. It would be in the early mornings (they start at 5:30, so I'd have to be there at 5) to 7. Aja is still sleeping so this is a seva I can do before he wakes while he is with Nick. Then I would do the evening arati, both shifts Monday through Friday with weekends off. They recently let us know a two bedroom attached to the temple has opened up and that they would reserve it for us.
I am a little scared because I am unqualified for this work, but because the Guptas are our siksa gurus and such amazing examples of ideal devotees, I will pray to Krsna that they can tolerate me and that I can have an open heart to serve and learn. I also want to ask your permission to take on this service. I know that without your mercy I will never become qualified to serve. I think Radhika will call you to ask for the permission of having me take up this service as well.
No matter what though, we know that moving and being closer to such a dedicated community as well as the feet of Radha Bunkabihari will most definitely save our lives and help us become steady, serious devotees. It is time to step up and not look back.
Maharaj, please excuse our ramblings. And all glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.
Your servants,
Kamagayatri, Nick, and Aja
HpS -- Yes, Radhika wrote to us and we answered that we thought it was very nice for you to do the Deity program. No community is perfect, so we always have to approach any situation as coming to help solve problems alone then we are not discouraged! O.K. Next letter. We are 10 behind!
