I managed to squeeze in some extra service today. I wanted a little more to do to keep me busy.
This morning they needed help in the kitchen so I helped out for about 45 minutes cutting up freshly grown beets. I asked them if they needed help in the kitchen this winter and they said I could do a few things like making bread or something. So I think I will take up on that offer. After I helped in the kitchen I went to go take care of Tulasi Devi. She was competely dry today and I gave her plenty of water to keep her moist. I also swept and mopped her floors too to keep clean. Who ever did Tulasi Aarti for me while I was gone didn't put away her Aarti items so I cleaned those and put them away and cleaned off her altar too. Then after I did that I chanted some rounds. I had five left to do after I went downstairs around 1pm. I had to clean the pujari room and get it caught up as it was a mess too but it's service and it kept me busy. I pretty much had the afternoon free until 7pm when I went back to do some more service by doing the Deity plate transfer for the prasadam, and then I did Tulasi Devi Aarti and put her to bed. The reason why I was looking for a little more service is because Maharaj suggested it so I'm following his instructions.
Also I had some new association today. A new Bhaktin came to visit. Her name is Bhaktin Angie. She is an elderly woman. I am not sure where she is from but she is in her sixties. She came to New Vrndavan before in the 1970's. She's a very nice devotee. She sat with Sudevi and I for breakfast and lunch. She is thinking about living in New Vrndavan too like Bhaktin Natalie is thinking of doing. That'd be nice if both of them will stay. The more devotees the marrier. :) And that would mean more association as well which is very much needed to stay Krishna Conciousness.So slowly but surely my homesickness is going away. I still miss my Cleveland devotee friends very much. But as Sudevi and Maharaj said, I should try to accept the devotees in New Vrndavan as my new spiritual family as Maharaj said that there are families everywhere. Cleveland devotees will always be my spiritual family no matter where I am or what I do. They have a very special place in my heart. They helped me to get to New Vrndavan after all because of their strong encouragement and love. But at least now the devotee association here in New Vrndavan is starting to improve some. :) After I came back from Cleveland Rupa Nuga the temple president even acknowledged me that I came back from my trip this morning which was nice of him to do. I knew he was happy to see me back. :D
As the Beatles would say "Its getting better all the time" :D
