A fine fall day @ 86oF

Old mirror --> art backdrop

Thursday, October 23

Ok, so I caved. Fall arrived today at our house. Sort of.

A gardener was cutting branches along the side of the road and I carried some home. Last fall, knowing we were moving, I pressed some maple leaves. Though they faded, we took a handful of them along in our suitcase when we left Seattle.

We'd purchased a mirror for our bathroom a few weeks ago (so we could actually see ourselves before we left the house!) and I'd moved the ruined 16"X20"mirror to behind a tall glass vase. Today, I popped in the scavenged branches and threaded a few leaf stems through them for a 4'X4' fall arrangement - spare, bare, and quiet on the big entry cabinet.

On an end table

What makes me happiest is that it was 86o (30oC) outside when we found the branches. Perfect or what!

Today was cultural day at the language school. We went to the Post Office museum (Museum Pos Bandung) to see the history of mail service in Indonesia. They had old machines, paintings of how things used to be done, and pages and pages of stamps filed in cases, hung on panels and stored in cabinets on one wall. The filing system wasn't necessarily archival. The sun was shining on the display cases, and I suspect a philatelist enjoyed looking at the filed cases of stamps before putting them back randomly (without the manager's help?) The historical record of Indonesia - not to mention those of other countries - is impressive in stamps. Very enjoyable.

Here are a few things to explain the day:

Our class at the entry of the museum

Schoolchildren wait to enter

Among hundreds of sheets, one of national costumes 

A life-sized 3-D model of a historical photo (posted above)

The class leans on the sign in front
of the governor's office, the Gedung Saté (so-named
for the saté-shaped post on the roof

And in the other room, it's still summer ... cheery flowers from the hedge

On the way to school, this beauty caught my eye
along the neighbor's fence. (via IPhone)

And a final picture from yesterday: one of our patient teachers in front of the homework we posted on the board at language school

Guru Josie encourages us with a happy hand gesture

Read more:
*The Lord was with Samuel and let none of his words fall to the ground. 1 Samuel 3:19 NEV

*The Lord says, “When they call to me, I will answer them.” Psalm 91:15 NEV

*The same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. Romans 10:12 NEV

*Paul wrote: Our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 ESV

Moravian Prayer: Gentle Jesus, we call upon you in prayer asking for peace and health. May our congregations grow in spirit and number. Let us be the bearers of your message of love and compassion. 

Holy Spirit, as we worship you today may our hearts be filled with vigor and determination. You call each one of us to work for your kingdom. May we answer the call with joy and stand ready to serve. Amen.